Prevalence of Folate Deficiency in Korean Women of Reproductive Age Using a Serum Folate Assay Traceable to the WHO International Standard.

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate serum folate level in Korean women of reproductive age and to evaluate the prevalence of folate deficiency by age using different cutoffs.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data obtained with a serum folate assay traceable to World Health Organization international standard reference material 03/178.

RESULTS

Between September 2017 and June 2019, data from a total of 8,380 Korean women aged 15 - 49 years were obtained. Mean (standard deviation) serum folate concentration for all women was 9.1 (6.7) ng/mL. Prevalence of folate deficiency using the cutoff of < 3 ng/mL was 6.2% and that for < 4 ng/mL was 14.9%. The prevalence of folate deficiency was higher in women of younger age (15 to < 25 years, even > 30% using the cutoff of 4 ng/mL) compared to other age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that women aged 15 to < 25 years are at high risk of folate deficiency.