Background And Objectives: Folate deficiency in the general population is associated with a risk of cardiovascular disease and various cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate folate status in Italian blood donors and its relationship with gender and smoking habit.
Design And Methods: A prospective study of 201 first visit donors (99 males and 102 females) was undertaken to evaluate folate status by measuring serum folate (SF) and red blood cell folate (RCF) levels and relating those with gender and smoking habit (100 smokers and 101 non-smokers).
Results: The rates of SF level less than 6.8 nmol/L and RCF less than 340 nmol/L were 9.9% and 25.3%, respectively in Italian blood donors. Mean RCF level was significantly lower (p<0.05) in females than in males and in smokers compared to non-smokers (p<0.001). The risk of reduced RCF levels in smokers was related to the number of cigarettes smoked per day, more than nine cigarettes increased the relative risk (RR) of low RCF level to 2.93 (95% C.I.: 1.34-6.41).
Interpretation And Conclusions: This study suggests that folate deficiency, evaluated by RCF and SF levels, is widespread in Italian blood donors. Moreover, RCF values seem related to gender in non-smokers and modified by smoking habit, according to the cigarettes number smoked per day.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Effect of nutrition education and iron-folic acid supplementation on anemia among pregnant women in Ethiopia: a quasi-experimental study.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Butajira City Administration Health Office, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia.
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of nutrition education and counseling using health belief health model constructs along with iron-folic acid supplementation on hemoglobin level and adherence to IFAs during pregnancy. The study was a three-month quasi-experimental study design in Butajira town, Ethiopia. Community-based nutrition education and counseling sessions using the Health belief model, and IFAS for six weeks were given to the pregnant women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLow folate biomarker concentrations are associated with increase the risk and severity of periodontitis in adults: A cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014.
Nutr Res
December 2024
College & Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Hefei, China; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
We sought to test the hypothesis that adult folate biomarker concentrations are negatively associated with the risk and severity of periodontitis. Data were pooled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009 to 2014. A total of 9252 dentate adult subjects aged 30 years and older who received a periodontal examination and had complete folate biomarker data were included in the analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiet, Advanced Maternal Age, and Neonatal Outcomes: Results from the GESTAGE Study.
Nutrients
January 2025
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Article Synopsis
- Maternal nutrition during pregnancy significantly affects both mothers and their babies, influencing health outcomes and the risk of diseases later in life.
- A study compared nutrient and polyphenol intakes between pregnant women aged 35 and older (AMA) and younger controls, revealing lower intakes of certain key nutrients in the AMA group.
- The findings showed negative correlations between specific nutrients, particularly fiber and vitamins A and E, and newborn head circumference, suggesting that improving nutrition in older pregnant women could enhance neonatal health.
Folate and Vitamin B12 Status among Non-Pregnant, Non-Lactating Women of Reproductive Age and Predicted Risk for Neural Tube Defects, Morogoro Region, Tanzania.
Matern Child Health J
January 2025
Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Tanzania Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania.
Introduction: Population risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) can be determined using red blood cell (RBC) folate. However, a paucity of biomarker and surveillance data among non-lactating, non-pregnant women of reproductive age (NPWRA) from Africa limits accurate assessment. Our study assessed folate and vitamin B12 status among non-lactating NPWRA and predicted population risk of NTDs in Tanzania.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssociation between maternal folic acid supplementation in pregnancy and abnormal fetal growth: Evidence from a birth cohort baseline survey.
Clin Nutr ESPEN
January 2025
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, PR China. Electronic address:
Background And Aim: The prevention of abnormal fetal growth can improve the health status of children during infancy and in the future. However, the effect of folic acid supplementation on fetal weight for gestational age is unclear.
Objective: To investigate the effect of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy on abnormal fetal growth.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!