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Definition Return to top
Folate-deficiency anemia is a decrease in red blood cells (anemia) caused by folate deficiency.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Folate, also called folic acid, is necessary for red blood cell formation and growth. Folate can be obtained from green leafy vegetables and liver. Some medications, such as Dilantin, interfere with the absorption of this vitamin. Because folate is not stored in the body in large amounts, a continual dietary supply of this vitamin is needed.
In folate deficiency anemia, the red cells are abnormally large and are referred to as megalocytes, and in the bone marrow as megaloblasts. Subsequently, this anemia may be referred to as megaloblastic anemia
Causes of the anemia are poor dietary intake of folic acid as in chronic alcoholism, malabsorption diseases such as celiac disease and sprue, and certain medications. A relative deficiency due to increased need for folic acid may occur in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Risk factors are a poor diet (seen frequently in the poor, the elderly, and in people who do not buy fresh fruits or vegetables), overcooking food, alcoholism, having a history of malabsorption diseases, and pregnancy. The disease occurs in about 4 out of 100,000 people.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
The goal is to treat the underlying cause of the anemia, which may be dietary or a malabsorption disease.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Anemia usually responds well to treatment within 2 months.Complications Return to top
Symptoms of anemia can cause discomfort. In a pregnant woman, folate deficiency has been associated with neural tube or spinal defects (such as spina bifida) in the infant.Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate anemia of folate deficiency may be present.Prevention Return to top
Adequate dietary intake in high-risk individuals and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy may help prevent the onset of this anemia. Update Date: 4/25/2003 Updated by: Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |