Folic acid concentration in the serum and erythrocytes of patients with celiac disease

In 16 children with coeliac disease consecutively diagnosed on the basis of 3 peroral small bowel biopsies in a period of 3 years 13 (81%) had low levels of folic acid in the serum (norm. reference range: 1.8-9 ng/ml) and in erythrocytes (norm. reference range: 150-450 ng/ml cells). The determination of folic acid has a better diagnostic value as the one-hour-D-Xylosetest. The low level of folic acid is the most constant nutritional deficiency in our group of coeliac patients. The determination of folate in the serum and erythrocytes is a highly sensitive screening and at the time it will indicate the adequate therapy.