Effect of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole combination on folate metabolism in malnourished children

Abstract

The effect of a 10-day course of trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole on folate metabolism was studied in 10 children with severe protein-calorie malnutrition. There was a significant increase in formimino-glutamic acid (FIGLU) excretion after a histidine load in children treated with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, when compared with a control group, but no haematological evidence of folate deficiency.