Serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ in Korean patients with vitiligo

The association of vitiligo and pernicious anemia has been previously documented. The low levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ were thought to be related to vitiligo. To date, there have been very few reports about the serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ in patients with vitiligo. Using radioimmunoassay, we measured the serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ in 100 Korean patients with vitiligo. The mean serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ were 6.31 ± 2.82 ng/ml and 630.25 ± 230.94 pg/ml, respectively, in patients with vitiligo. These levels showed no significant difference compared to the normal control group, suggesting that folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ do not appear to play a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.