Folate deficiency: Difference between revisions

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= Folate Deficiency =
{{Short description|Overview of folate deficiency}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name = Folate deficiency
| image = Folic acid structure.svg
| caption = Chemical structure of folic acid
| field = [[Hematology]], [[Nutrition]]
| symptoms = Fatigue, weakness, headache, irritability
| complications = [[Megaloblastic anemia]], [[Neural tube defects]] in pregnancy
| causes = Poor diet, malabsorption, certain medications
| diagnosis = Blood tests for folate levels
| treatment = Dietary supplementation, folic acid tablets
}}


Folate deficiency, also recognized as vitamin B9 deficiency, is a health condition marked by inadequate levels of folate and its derivatives in the body. Essential for numerous bodily functions, including DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, as well as cell division, folate deficiency can lead to a variety of health issues. One of the most significant manifestations of this deficiency is folate deficiency anemia, characterized by the presence of large-sized, abnormal red blood cells (megaloblasts).
'''Folate deficiency''' is a medical condition that occurs when there is a lack of sufficient folate (vitamin B9) in the body. Folate is essential for numerous bodily functions, including [[DNA synthesis]], repair, and methylation, as well as [[red blood cell]] production.
 
[[File:MRI of Cerebral Folate Deficiency in 12 yo girl with Dihydropyridine Reductase Deficiency - after treatment.jpg|thumb|500px|Blood smear showing megaloblastic anemia, a hallmark of folate deficiency.]]


== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Folate deficiency can result from several factors, including:
Folate deficiency can result from several factors:
- Inadequate dietary intake of folate-rich foods
* '''Dietary insufficiency''': A diet low in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fortified cereals can lead to inadequate folate intake.
- Increased demand for folate in the body (e.g., pregnancy, lactation, rapid growth periods)
* '''Malabsorption''': Conditions such as [[celiac disease]] or [[inflammatory bowel disease]] can impair the absorption of folate from the gastrointestinal tract.
- Malabsorption syndromes (e.g., celiac disease, Crohn's disease)
* '''Increased demand''': Pregnancy, lactation, and periods of rapid growth increase the body's need for folate.
- Certain medications (e.g., methotrexate, sulfasalazine) that interfere with folate metabolism
* '''Medications''': Certain drugs, such as [[methotrexate]] and [[phenytoin]], can interfere with folate metabolism.
- Alcoholism, which can impair folate absorption and increase folate excretion


<youtube>
== Symptoms ==
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The symptoms of folate deficiency can vary but often include:
movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/xFB8gEBWC_k
* Fatigue and weakness
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* Headache
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* Irritability
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* Difficulty concentrating
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* Shortness of breath
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* Pale skin
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== Signs and Symptoms ==
== Complications ==
The signs of folate deficiency are often subtle and can include:
If left untreated, folate deficiency can lead to serious health issues, including:
- Fatigue and weakness
* '''Megaloblastic anemia''': A condition characterized by the production of abnormally large and immature red blood cells.
- Headaches
* '''Neural tube defects''': In pregnant women, folate deficiency increases the risk of birth defects such as [[spina bifida]] and [[anencephaly]].
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Irritability and mood changes
A low number of red blood cells (anemia) is a later finding in folate deficiency, presenting with symptoms such as pallor and jaundice due to the presence of megaloblasts.


== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of folate deficiency involves:
Folate deficiency is typically diagnosed through blood tests that measure the levels of folate in the serum or red blood cells. A complete blood count (CBC) may also be performed to check for anemia.
- Complete blood count (CBC) to detect anemia
- Blood smear to identify megaloblastic anemia
- Serum folate level testing, which directly measures folate levels in the blood
- Homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels, which can be elevated in folate deficiency


== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment for folate deficiency focuses on:
Treatment involves increasing dietary intake of folate-rich foods and/or taking folic acid supplements. Foods high in folate include:
- Oral folate supplementation to restore normal levels
* Leafy green vegetables (e.g., spinach, kale)
- Dietary advice to increase intake of folate-rich foods, such as leafy green vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fortified cereals
* Citrus fruits
- Addressing any underlying causes of the deficiency, such as malabsorption issues or medication side effects
* Beans and legumes
* Fortified cereals and grains


== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
Preventing folate deficiency involves:
To prevent folate deficiency, it is recommended to consume a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fortified foods. Women of childbearing age are advised to take folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
- Consuming a balanced diet rich in folate
- Considering folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and other high-demand periods
- Monitoring and managing conditions that may lead to malabsorption of nutrients


== External Links ==
== Also see ==
* [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/ Office of Dietary Supplements - Folate]
* [[Vitamin B12 deficiency]]
* [https://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/micronutrients/guidelines/daily_supp_folic_acid_pregnant_women/en/ World Health Organization - Daily iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnant women]
* [[Anemia]]
* [[Neural tube defect]]
* [[Celiac disease]]


== References ==
{{Nutrition}}
<references />
{{Vitamins}}


[[Category:Nutritional deficiencies]]
[[Category:Nutritional deficiencies]]
[[Category:Hematology]]
[[Category:Hematology]]
 
[[Category:Vitamins]]
{{stub}}
<gallery>
File:Folic acid structure.svg|Folate deficiency
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 01:35, 20 February 2025

Overview of folate deficiency


Folate deficiency
Folic acid structure.svg
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Fatigue, weakness, headache, irritability
Complications Megaloblastic anemia, Neural tube defects in pregnancy
Onset N/A
Duration N/A
Types N/A
Causes Poor diet, malabsorption, certain medications
Risks N/A
Diagnosis Blood tests for folate levels
Differential diagnosis N/A
Prevention N/A
Treatment Dietary supplementation, folic acid tablets
Medication N/A
Prognosis N/A
Frequency N/A
Deaths N/A


Folate deficiency is a medical condition that occurs when there is a lack of sufficient folate (vitamin B9) in the body. Folate is essential for numerous bodily functions, including DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, as well as red blood cell production.

Causes[edit]

Folate deficiency can result from several factors:

  • Dietary insufficiency: A diet low in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fortified cereals can lead to inadequate folate intake.
  • Malabsorption: Conditions such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease can impair the absorption of folate from the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Increased demand: Pregnancy, lactation, and periods of rapid growth increase the body's need for folate.
  • Medications: Certain drugs, such as methotrexate and phenytoin, can interfere with folate metabolism.

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms of folate deficiency can vary but often include:

  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pale skin

Complications[edit]

If left untreated, folate deficiency can lead to serious health issues, including:

  • Megaloblastic anemia: A condition characterized by the production of abnormally large and immature red blood cells.
  • Neural tube defects: In pregnant women, folate deficiency increases the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.

Diagnosis[edit]

Folate deficiency is typically diagnosed through blood tests that measure the levels of folate in the serum or red blood cells. A complete blood count (CBC) may also be performed to check for anemia.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment involves increasing dietary intake of folate-rich foods and/or taking folic acid supplements. Foods high in folate include:

  • Leafy green vegetables (e.g., spinach, kale)
  • Citrus fruits
  • Beans and legumes
  • Fortified cereals and grains

Prevention[edit]

To prevent folate deficiency, it is recommended to consume a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fortified foods. Women of childbearing age are advised to take folic acid supplements to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

Also see[edit]

Nutrition information of Folate deficiency[edit]


Vitamins (A11)
Fat
soluble
Water
soluble
Combinations
  • Folate deficiency
    Folate deficiency
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