Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Serum Folate: A Case Study.

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Adolescent Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) use is a declared epidemic among youth.
• Combustible cigarette use negatively impacts folate status.
• The effect of ENDS on folate status remains unstudied.

Observation:

• A case study followed an 18-year-old woman for one month.
• Data collected included dietary folate intake and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) use.
• Weekly serum and red blood cell folate levels were monitored via dried blood spots.

Findings:

• During two weeks of ENDS use, serum folate levels ranged from 1.91 to 4.39 µg/L.
• In the third week, abstaining from ENDS, serum folate increased to 29.44 µg/L.
• Resuming ENDS use in the fourth week led to a serum folate level of 7.50 µg/L.

Implications:

• This case study suggests a potential negative impact of ENDS on folate status.
• Further research is needed to confirm this relationship in larger populations.
• Adolescent women, with historically low folate status, may be particularly vulnerable to ENDS-related folate depletion.