Folic acid deficiency anemia, also called folate deficiency anemia, type of anemia resulting from a deficient intake of the vitamin folic acid (folate). Folic acid, a B vitamin, is needed for the formation of heme, the pigmented, iron-containing portion of the hemoglobin in red blood cells (erythrocytes). A deficient intake of folic acid impairs the maturation of young red blood cells, which results in anemia. The disease also is characterized by leukopenia (a deficiency of white blood cells, or leukocytes), by thrombocytopenia (a deficiency of platelets), by ineffective blood formation in the bone marrow, and by progressive gastrointestinal symptoms, such as sore tongue, fissures at the corners of the mouth, diarrhea, inflammation of the pharynx or esophagus, and ulceration of the stomach and intestine.
Folic acid deficiency develops over a period of several months and may result from a diet that is low or lacking in foods containing folic acid. The deficiency may also be brought on by poor absorption of folic acid in the intestine due to celiac disease or anticonvulsant drug therapy or by faulty metabolism of the vitamin in the liver due to cirrhosis. It can also occur in pregnant women and in persons with severe hemolytic anemia (dissolution of red blood cells by hemolysin). The oral administration of folic acid produces quick improvement in all symptoms; an adequate diet results in cure in cases due to simple malnutrition.
2、疾病的病因
Title: Causes of folate deficiency anemia
Description: We help to introduce the causes of folate deficiency anemia, including other causes of the disease such as celiac disease, foods lack of folic acid, etc.
Key Words: Causes of folate deficiency anemia
病因 Causes of Folate-Deficiency Anemia
Folate-deficiency anemia is the lack of folic acid in the blood. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps your body make red blood cells. If you don’t have enough red blood cells, you have anemia.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. When you have anemia, your blood can’t bring enough oxygen to all your tissues and organs. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t work as well as it should.
Low levels of folic acid can cause megaloblastic anemia. With this condition, red blood cells are larger than normal. There are fewer of these cells. They are also oval-shaped, not round. Sometimes these red blood cells don’t live as long as normal red blood cells.
What causes folate-deficiency anemia?
__You don’t eat enough foods that have folic acid. These include green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, fortified cereals, yeast, and meats (including liver).
__You drink too much alcohol.
__You have certain diseases of the lower digestive tract, such as celiac disease. This type of anemia also occurs in people with cancer.
__You take certain medicines, such as some used for seizures.
__You are pregnant. This is because the developing baby needs more folic acid. Also, the mother absorbs it more slowly. A lack of folate during pregnancy is linked to major birth defects that affect the brain, spinal cord, and spine (neural tube defects).
Some babies are born unable to absorb folic acid. This can lead to megaloblastic anemia. With this condition, red blood cells are larger than normal. They also have a different shape. Early treatment is needed to prevent problems such as poor reasoning and learning.