Folate deficiency
Last updated: Tuesday, 03, August, 2010
| Causes | Appropriate Tests |
|---|---|
FBC, blood film, (often pancytopenia; oval macrocytosis, neutrophil hypersegmentation), platelet count; folate - red cell; vitamin B12 assay, if indicated. Bone marrow aspiration is only occasionally required for diagnosis and/or confirmation. Review clinical findings to determine likely cause. | |
Dietary deficiency | |
Alcoholism | |
Extremes of age - especially premature infants. | |
Haemodialysis | |
Debilitating illness | |
Malabsorption especially
| |
Jejunal resection | |
Drugs (may impair folate absrption), especially;
|
Low serum folate but adequate RBC folate. |
Increased requirements | |
Pregnancy | |
Malignancy (desseminated) | |
Haemolysis | |
Impaired utilisation | |
Alcoholism | |
Drugs, especially;
|