Vitamin B12 and folic acid in Crohn's disease
Elsborg, L.
Danish Medical Bulletin 29(7): 362-365
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0907-8916 PMID: 7151496 Document Number: 194926
Among a consecutive series of 37 patients with Crohn's disease serum cobalamin was abnormally low in 18% and serum folates were low in 43%. Red cell folates were low in 52% of unoperated patients and in 14% of operated patients. Malabsorption of vitamin B-12 was always present after ileocolic resections irrespective of the length of resected intestine. After less extensive ileal resections (less than 50 cm), preserving the caecum, absorption of vitamin B-12 was normal. The high frequency of folate deficiency in active Crohn's disease was partly due to malabsorption, malnutrition and long-term treatment with salazosulphapyridine. It is suggested that liberal administration of folic acid may be justified in unoperated patients; patients with ileocolic resection should be treated with vitamin B-12.