Folic Acid Flashcards
1
Q
what is folic acid converted to?
A
tetrahydrofolate
key role in the transfer of 1-carbon units to the essential substrates involved in the synthesis of DNA and RNA
2
Q
what is a natural source of folic acid?
A
green, leafy vegetables
3
Q
causes of folic acid deficiency
A
- phenytoin
- methrotrexate
- pregnancy
- alcohol excess
4
Q
consequences of folic acid deficiency
A
- macrocytic megaloblastic anaemia
- neural tube defects
5
Q
how much folic acid should pregnant women take?
A
400mcg until 12 weeks gestation
6
Q
how much folic acid should a women who is high risk of being deficient take?
A
5mg from pre-conception to 12 weeks
7
Q
what factors result in being high risk for folate deficiency?
A
- family history
- antiepileptic drugs
- coeliac disease
- diabetes
- thalassaemia trait
- BMI >30 kg/m2
