Serum and red cell folate activity and folic acid absorption in patients with hookworm infection

Red cell and serum folate levels and folic acid absorption were studied in patients with hookworm infection. The mean value of serum folic acid level was found to be significantly lower than that of the normal subjects and 32% of cases had serum folic acid level less than 4 ng/ml. The red cell folate content in all patients studied were within the normal limits. The mean value of the folic acid absorption was also lower than that of the normal. Six out of 13 patients absorbed folic acid less than 38%, the lowest value obtained from the normal subjects. These findings indicated that there was a negative balance of folic acid in some patients with hookworm infection which was probably due to impairment in absorption.