Folacin and iron status and hematological findings in predominately black elderly persons from urban low-income households [USA]

Although high incidence of anemia has been reported in the United States, anemia in the elderly indicates that nutrient deficiencies other than iron may be involved. A group of 193 people, aged 60 to 90, of whom 170 were black and the remainder were Spanish American, from an urban, low-income neighborhood were studied for folacin and iron status and hematological parameters. Serum folacin levels were between 3 and 6 ng/ml for 30% of the subjects and below 8 ng/ml for 8%. According to red blood cell folacin concentrations, 60% of these are high risk and 11% are medium risk. Serum iron and transferrin saturation were normal. A 14% incidence of anemia and 32% leukopenia were indicated by hematological indices. Thus, no iron deficiency was found but widespread folacin deficiency was