Pyridoxal, Folate and Vitamin B₁₂ Concentrations in Western Australian Aborigines

Summary Serum vitamin B 6 (pyridoxal), folate and vitamin B 12 concentrations were measured in blood samples from 293 Western Australian Aborigines living in the Cundeelee and Meekatharra areas. Twenty‐one per cent of males and 25% of females from the Cundeelee area had a low serum pyridoxal compared with 39% and 31% respectively from the Meekatharra area. Twelve per cent of Aborigines below the age of 20 years from Cundeelee had a low serum pyridoxal compared with 50% of those in a similar agr group living in the Meekatharra area. Fifty‐seven per cent of males and 41% of females had serum folate levels below the lower limit of the reference range. Vitamin B 12 concentrations were all above 200 ng/l and 30% were above 900 ng/1. Twenty‐three Aborigines had a reduced level of haemoglobin, 19 males and 4 females. Twelve of the males had a hypochromic anaemia. These results indicate that vitamin B 6 and folate deficiency is common among Western Australian Aborigines. The deficiency of vitamin B 6 may be of particular importance because of its effect on cerebral function and development.