THE EFFECT OF FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION IN BETATHALASSEMIA MAJOR: A RANDOMIZED PLACEBOCONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Folic acid is a coenzyme for many important biochemical reactions including synthesis of purines, pyrimidines, and nucleoproteins. The recommended daily allowance of folic acid is 65 – 200 μg/day for infants and children. The recommended dose for deficiency states is 1000 μg/day; the effects of excess amounts of folic acid are unknown. The role of folic acid in preventing progression of arteriosclerosis is rather a new issue. Thrombotic events related to slightly elevated levels of homocystein in adults may be decreased by daily consumption of 1 mg of folic acid together with 5 – 100 mg of pyridoxine.