Abstract

312 children resident at a hospital school received a neuropsychiatric examination and information was provided on their IQ status. Children with a fall in their IQ were identified. Serum and red cell folate values were estimated and the relationship between neuropsychiatric disturbances and folate disturbances explored. Patients with a fall in IQ, neurotic disturbance and depression all had significantly lower serum folic acid levels than the rest of the population, and the children with neurotic disturbances and depression had significantly lower red cell folate values. The relationship between folic acid metabolism and the neuropsychiatric disturbances is discussed in the light of these findings.