Correlation of folate metabolism and socioeconomic status in pregnancy and in patients taking oral contraceptives

The incidence of folate deficiency in pregnancy varies throughout the world. Ingestion of oral contraceptive agents may create food folate malabsorption. Since the only source of folate for the human being is diet, and since dietary intake of folate is directly correlated with socioeconomic status, we evaluated folate metabolism in pregnant patients of low socioeconomic status, similar patients taking oral contraceptives, and pregnant patients of upper socioeconomic status. The parameters evaluated were serum folate levels, average lobe score of circulating granulocytes, and packed cell volume. Low serum folate was found in late pregnancy no matter what the economic status. However, tissue folate deficiency, including anemia, was found only in pregnant patients of low socioeconomic status. Clinic patients taking oral contraceptives had generally normal folate levels. Patients of upper socioeconomic status showed no evidence of tissue folate depletion or anemia. The over-all dietary intake of folate is the most important consideration in the maintenance of adequate folate nutrition.