[Folic acid and cervix dysplasia]

The localized folate deficiency, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as cervical dysplasia, because of morphological similarities between the cytologic features of megaloblastosis seen with folate deficiency and the changes associated with dysplasia, could be a component of the dysplastic process. In this study we attempted the effect of oral folic in women with cervical dysplasia. A total of 154 subjects with grade 1 or 2 CIN were randomly assigned either 10 mg of folic acid or a placebo daily for 6 months. Clinical status, human papillomavirus type 16 infection and blood folate levels were monitored at 2 month intervals. After 6-months no significant differences were observed between supplemented and unsupplemented subjects regarding dysplasia status, biopsy results, or prevalence of human papillomavirus type 16 infection. Folate deficiency the initiation of cervical dysplasia, but folic acid supplements do not alter the course of established disease.