Folate deficiency epidemiology and demographics
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Epidemiology and Demographics
The prevalence of folate deficiency across the world is quite variable. The deficiency is more common in countries without folic acid fortification of cereal-grain products. Surveys conducted in several countries show that without fortification, folate deficiency can be a public health problem. The primary age groups affected include preschool children, pregnant women and older people. In the US, folate deficiency was present in school-age children (2.3% of the folate-deficient population), adults (24.5%), and older people (10.8%) before folic acid fortification was introduced. Mandatory folic acid fortification of cereal-grain products was initiated in the US in 1996. Subsequent surveys have shown that serum and RBC folate concentrations have increased in the general population.