Anemia, Folate Deficiency
Basic Information
Definition
Folate deficiency megaloblastic anemia is associated with impaired nuclear maturation of the hematopoietic cells in the marrow. The characteristic finding in the marrow is a delay of nuclear maturation compared with cytoplasmic maturation. This may result in a macrocytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hypersegmentation and reduction of granulocytes.
Epidemiology & Demographics
• Body stores of folic acid are small in comparison to daily requirements; therefore deficiency may result relatively quickly from inadequate folate intake or poor folate absorption.
• Folate requirements are greatest per kilogram in newborn infants, young children, and pregnant and lactating women.
• Other groups with increased folate requirements are those with malabsorption syndromes, premature infants, children receiving chronic antiepileptic therapy, and children with chronic hemolysis with or without anemia.
• Human and cow’s milk provide adequate amounts of folic acid; goat’s milk contains very little folic acid.
In adolescents and adults, chronic alcoholism and inadequate diet may result in folic acid deficiency.
