Fatal Folic Acid Toxicity in Humans

J Forensic Sci. 2017 Nov;62(6):1668-1670. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13489. Epub 2017 Mar 6.

Abstract

Folic acid is B-9 vitamin. Folic acid is prescribed commonly for pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus, patients under chemotherapy, pernicious anemia and to reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Acute or chronic ingestion of a large dose of folic acid generally manifests as neurological complications, which are reversible. In this present case, a 23-year-old pregnant woman committed suicide by consuming folic acid tablets and succumbed to death within 36 h. Postmortem toxicological analysis detected folic acid in viscera. Death following acute consumption of folic acid is rare and has been not reported in the literature, to the best of our knowledge.

Keywords: folic acid; forensic science; histopathology; pregnant woman; suicide; toxicological analysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Folic Acid / analysis
  • Folic Acid / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Intestines / chemistry
  • Kidney / chemistry
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Pregnancy
  • Stomach / chemistry
  • Suicide*
  • Vitamin B Complex / analysis
  • Vitamin B Complex / poisoning*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Folic Acid