VITAMIN-B-12, FOLIC-ACID AND HEMATOLOGICAL STATUS OF 132 THAI VEGETARIANS

Serum vitamin B-12, folic acid and haematological variables of 132 Tha i vegetarians (64 males and 68 females) were investigated. Forty-seven healthy omnivorous individuals served as controls. No statistical dif ferences in haemoglobin concentration, packed red cell volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration between the vegetarians and con trols had been detected. In the female vegetarians, the haemoglobin co ncentration and packed red cell volume were, however, statistically lo wer. No significant differences in the white cell counts and platelet counts were observed in both groups. A significant increase of basophi lic stippling and reticulocytes was observed in the vegetarians. Serum vitamin B-12 decreased and serum folic acid levels increased accordin g to the duration of vegetarianism in the vegetarians. In the females practicing vegetarianism for 6-10 years or more, the proportion of ser um vitamin B-12 deficiencies was particularly high. The high percentag e of vitamin B-12 deficiency in the vegetarians might be related to me galoblastic anaemia. This form of anaemia is commonly associated with the presence of basophilic stippling, Therefore, the increased presenc e of basophilic stippling and reticulocytes might indicate a mild stag e of this type of anaemia among the vegetarians.