Steps in Folate Receptor Antibody (FRAT) Testing for Children
1. FRAT Test Initial Paediatric Consultation
2. FRAT Blood Test
3. FRAT Results Review & Follow-Up
4. Treatment Following a Positive FRAT Result
Treatment options and pricing
Browse and click below to book any of our available services.
FRAT Test Initial Paediatric Consultation
Included in the FRAT Test Initial Paediatric Consultation
A comprehensive assessment with the consultant paediatrician, including:
* Developmental and neurological history
* Behavioural and cognitive review
* Nutritional and medical background
* Review of previous investigations
* Clinical decision-making regarding FRAT testing
FRAT Blood Test
Included in the FRAT Blood Test
* Simple blood sample
* Sent to a specialist reference laboratory
* Measures blocking and binding folate receptor antibodies
You may need to stop taking folic acid, folinic acid and 5-MTHF for 48 hours before the test. If you are receiving immunoglobulin therapy, please wait until 3 months after treatment before undergoing the test. * The blood test needs to happen on Monday to Thursday Mornings.
FRAT Results Review & Follow-Up
Included in the FRAT Results Review & Follow-Up
* Detailed explanation of results
* Correlation with clinical symptoms
* Individualised management plan
* Monitoring and follow-up strategy
If folate receptor antibodies are identified, the consultant paediatrician can initiate and prescribe appropriate medication, where clinically indicated.
This may include:
- Prescription folate therapy (e.g. calcium folinate rather than standard folic acid)
- Optimisation of supporting B-vitamins (B12, B6, riboflavin)
- Nutritional and dietary strategies to support methylation
- Autoimmune-modulating approaches where appropriate
- Ongoing developmental and clinical monitoring
All treatment is age-appropriate, evidence-based and medically supervised.
Common Q&A about Folate Receptor Antibody (FRAT) Testing for Children
Our FAQ section is designed to address common questions you may have, from how our treatments work to what you can expect during and after your session.
Our team is always available to provide additional support if you need more personalised guidance, ensuring that you feel informed and confident every step of the way.
The Folate Receptor Antibody Test (FRAT) is a blood test that measures antibodies which block or interfere with the transport of folate (vitamin B9) into the brain and nervous system. This can cause a functional folate deficiency even when blood folate levels appear normal.
FRAT testing may be considered in selected children with autism spectrum conditions, developmental delay, learning or behavioural difficulties, unexplained neurological symptoms, or poor response to standard nutritional support, following consultant paediatric assessment.
All paediatric FRAT testing at The Health Suite is assessed, interpreted and managed by a consultant paediatrician, Dr Guru Setty, ensuring safe clinical governance and appropriate follow-up.
No. Fasting is not required for FRAT testing. Children may eat and drink normally unless advised otherwise during their consultation.
The test involves a simple blood sample taken by a trained healthcare professional. The sample is sent to a specialist reference laboratory that measures both blocking and binding folate receptor antibodies.
Due to specialist laboratory processing and high demand, FRAT test results currently take approximately 10-12 weeks to return.
FRAT testing is not routinely available on the NHS and is usually accessed through private specialist services where results can be appropriately interpreted and acted upon.
The consultant paediatrician will review the results in detail, correlate them with your child’s symptoms and development, and create a personalised management plan.
Yes. Where clinically indicated, the consultant paediatrician can prescribe medication to treat folate transport deficiency, such as prescription folate therapy (e.g. calcium folinate), alongside nutritional and monitoring strategies.
Yes. National referrals are welcome, and many families travel from across the UK to The Health Suite for consultant-led paediatric FRAT assessment and treatment.
Symptom checker
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please book an appointment with us. Symptoms can vary from person to person and from condition to condition.A proper diagnosis can only be made through a thorough medical examination.
Our clinicians will carry out a full assessment to ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.
Does your child have unexplained developmental delays?
If speech, motor skills, or social milestones lag without a clear cause, testing for folate receptor autoantibodies may help identify a functional barrier to folate reaching the brain.
Are there ongoing behavioural or learning challenges?
Persistent attention, communication, or learning difficulties without another diagnosis may prompt a FRAT test to assess whether folate transport is being disrupted.
Does your child show signs of neurological symptoms like irritability or sleep issues?
Some children with folate receptor autoantibodies can present with sleep disturbance, irritability, or neurological signs linked to low folate in the nervous system.
Has your child been diagnosed with autism and symptoms are hard to explain?
A significant proportion of children with autism can have folate receptor autoantibodies, which may affect folate transport into the brain and warrant targeted evaluation.
Are standard folate levels normal but concerns remain about brain folate use?
Routine folate blood tests don’t detect receptor autoantibodies; a FRAT test looks specifically for immune interference with folate transport.
Is there a family history of folate‑related developmental or neurological issues?
Families with histories of developmental delay or neurological symptoms may benefit from receptor antibody assessment to guide personalised care.
What we treat
At The Health Suite Leicester, our private medical clinic offers expert care whenever you need it. Our team of experienced GPs and healthcare professionals provide personalised diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions, ensuring high-quality, professional care in a comfortable setting.
Click below to view useful info on a few of the common conditions we treat:
Folate receptor autoantibody detection
Identifies stress‑linked autoantibodies that can block folate transport into the brain, even when blood folate is normal.
Cerebral folate transport issues
Assesses whether folate delivery to the central nervous system is impaired due to receptor autoimmunity.
Developmental and neurodevelopmental concerns
Helps clarify whether autoantibody‑mediated folate disruption plays a role in delays or atypical neurological profiles.
Support for personalised intervention planning
Results can inform targeted strategies, such as folate pathway support with medical guidance.
Diagnostic clarity when standard tests are inconclusive
FRAT complements other assessments by detecting immune interference missed by routine folate measurements.
many more
Our clinicians manage a broad spectrum of conditions, and individual assessment allows us to tailor care beyond the examples listed. We encourage you to book a consultation to discuss your symptoms and appropriate treatment options.
