Plasma and red blood cell folate in breastfed infants

We have studied growth, red blood cell status and folate concentrations in plasma and red cells in a group of 35 breastfed infants during the first year of life. Folic acid supplementation was not given to the mothers during pregnancy or lactation, and none of them developed megaloblastic anaemia. The growth and red blood cell status of the infants were both normal. At birth, and throughout the period of observation, the folate concentrations in plasma and red cells were significantly higher than in the adult reference material. A positive correlation between plasma and red cell folate was demonstrated. During the latter part of pregnancy and lactation the foetuses and infants seem to be protected against folate deficiency. We regard the folate status of normal breastfed infants as optimal. The optimal supply of the vitamin in artificial nutrition should be the amount of folate necessary to maintain plasma and red cell folate concentrations similar to those found in breastfed infants.