Anemia of folate deficiency

Definition:

A decrease in the red cells in the blood caused by folate (folic acid) deficiency.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Folate or folic acid is necessary for red blood cell formation and growth. Dietary sources of folate are found in 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 incidence is 4 out of 100,000 people.