Prevention of folate deficiency by food fortification. IV. Identification of target groups in addition to pregnant women in an adult rural population

In a rural Negro population subsisting on a predominantly maize meal diet, the incidence of folate deficiency was 43.8% in nonanaemic women in late pregnancy, 32.1% in nonpregnant women, and 18.6% in adult males. More than one third of all subjects older than 60 were deficient. No instance of unequivocal vitamin B ₁₂ deficiency was revealed in 431 subjects sampled, and it is considered that the hazards of giving a small daily dose of folic acid in this population are negligible. These findings warrant food fortification with folic acid in this and similar population groups.