Amount Of Folic Acid For Children

Folic acid, also known as folate, is one of the B complex vitamins. It was named for the Latin word "folium," because it is found in abundance in the foliage of leafy green vegetables. Folate is water-soluble, meaning it can readily be eliminated in your urine. However, unlike most B vitamins, your liver can store enough folate to meet your needs for 6 to 9 months. Folic acid is an essential nutrient for all age groups, but it is particularly important for growing children, developing fetuses and pregnant women.

Functions

Folic acid is absorbed in the first part of your small intestine. Once it reaches your cells, folate is converted to its biologically active form, which is tetrahydrofolic acid, or THFA. THFA is needed for the synthesis of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in your red blood cells. It also plays a vital role in the production of DNA and RNA, so it is particularly important during growth and in other conditions where cells are dividing rapidly. THFA participates in protein metabolism, and it helps to balance neurotransmitter levels in your brain and nervous system.

Sources

Foliage from dark green leafy vegetables is the best natural source of folic acid, according to Dr. Elson Haas, author of "Staying Healthy with Nutrition." Spinach, beet greens, chard and kale are representative examples. Liver, kidney and brewer's yeast are also good folate sources, but many of these foods are not highly favored by children. Many foods fortified with folate and the folate from fortified foods and supplements is more readily absorbed than the folate that occurs naturally in foods, notes the Linus Pauling Institute.

Deficiency

Because folate is so important to dividing cells, deficiency in children can lead to growth problems. Folate is essential to brain function and helps support optimal neurologic development, learning and behavior. Anemia, fatigue, irritability and loss of appetite are common signs and symptoms of folate deficiency. A tender, reddened tongue and inflamed mucous membranes are occasionally seen. During pregnancy, folate deficiency increases the risk for neural tube defects, which are abnormalities in the fetal skull, brain and spinal cord.

Children's Requirements

In 1998, the Institute of Medicine established dietary reference intakes, or DRIs, for folic acid. As with many nutrients, these are the levels required to avoid symptoms of deficiency. Intakes in excess of DRIs are usually well-tolerated. The daily requirement for infants 0 to 6 months is 65 micrograms and for infants ages 7 to 12 months, it's 80 micrograms. Children ages 1 to 3 need 150 micrograms; ages 4 to 8 need 200 micrograms; ages 9 to 13 need 300 micrograms and ages 14 to 18 need 400 micrograms.