Abnormally low level of folate (vitamin B9) in the body
Medical condition
Folate deficiency
Folic acid, a precursor of active B9
Specialty
Endocrinology
Symptoms
Feeling tired, shortness of breath, changes in the color of the skin or hair, irritability[1]
Complications
Megaloblastic anemia[1]
Diagnostic method
Blood tests[1]
Treatment
Folic acid supplementation[1]
Frequency
Very rare (countries with fortification programs)[2]
Folate deficiency, also known as vitamin B9 deficiency, is a low level of folate and derivatives in the body.[1] This may result in a type of anemia in which red blood cells become abnormally large and is a late finding in folate deficiency and folate deficiency anemia is the term given for this medical condition.[3] Signs of folate deficiency are often subtle.[4] Symptoms may include feeling tired, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, feeling faint, open sores on the tongue, loss of appetite, changes in the color of the skin or hair, irritability, and behavioral changes.[1][5] Temporary reversible infertility may occur.[6] Folate deficiency anemia during pregnancy may give rise to the birth of low weight birth premature infants and infants with neural tube defects.[6]
Not consuming enough folate can lead to folate deficiency within a few months.[1] Otherwise, causes may include increased needs as with pregnancy, and in those with shortened red blood cell lifespan.[1] Folate deficiency can be secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency or a defect in homocysteine methyl transferase that leads to a "folate trap" in which is an inactive metabolite that cannot be recovered.[1] Diagnosis is typically confirmed by blood tests, including a complete blood count, and serum folate levels.[1] Increased homocysteine levels may suggest deficiency state, but it is also affected by other factors.[1] Vitamin B12 deficiency must be ruled out, if left untreated, may cause irreversible neurological damage.[1]
Treatment may include dietary changes and folic acid supplements.[1] Dietary changes including eating high foods in folate such as, fruits and green leafy vegetables can help.[1] Prevention is recommended for pregnant women or those who are planning a pregnancy.[1]
Folate deficiency is very rare in countries with folic acid fortification programs.[2] Worldwide prevalence of anemia due to folic acid deficiency generally is very low.[2]
^ abcCite error: The named reference Bailey was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Huether S, McCance K (2004). "20". Understanding Pathophysiology (3rd ed.). Mosby. p. 543. ISBN 978-0-323-02368-9.
^Tamparo C (2011). Diseases of the Human Body (Fifth ed.). Philadelphia, PA. pp. 337. ISBN 978-0-8036-2505-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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Folatedeficiency, also known as vitamin B9 deficiency, is a low level of folate and derivatives in the body. This may result in a type of anemia in which...
from foods or dietary supplements. Folate in the form of folic acid is used to treat anemia caused by folatedeficiency. Folic acid is also used as a supplement...
donation. Causes of decreased production include iron deficiency, folatedeficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, thalassemia and a number of bone marrow tumors...
of spinal cord strongly suggests the presence of a B12 deficiency instead of folatedeficiency. Methylmalonic acid, if not properly handled by B12, remains...
Cerebral folatedeficiency is a condition in which concentrations of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate are low in the brain as measured in the cerebral spinal...
both are part of the same biopathway, folatedeficiency is much more common and therefore more of a concern. Folate is required for the production and maintenance...
PMID 23193625. Retrieved 2 February 2019. Gordon, N (2009). "Cerebral folatedeficiency". Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 51 (3): 180–182. doi:10...
and increased thiamine clearance associated with diabetes. Also, folatedeficiency in early embryo development has been linked to neural tube defects...
by other factors than B12 deficiency, such as folatedeficiency, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, haptocorrin deficiency, and myeloma. High serum levels...
against folate receptor alpha have been found in up to 75% of children with autism. Folatedeficiency most commonly arises from insufficient folate intake...
most often due to hypovitaminosis, specifically vitamin B12 deficiency or folatedeficiency. Loss of micronutrients may also be a cause. Megaloblastic...
hematinics are iron, Vitamin B12, and folate. Deficiency in hematinics can lead to anaemia. In cases of hematinic deficiency, hematinics can be administered...
treat colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer, may be used to treat folatedeficiency that results in anemia, and methanol poisoning. It is taken by mouth...
Dihydrofolate reductase deficiency (DHFR deficiency) is a rare inherited disorder of folate metabolism caused by defects in the DHFR gene. The disorder...
diffusion. Active transport can be inhibited by alcohol consumption or by folatedeficiency. The majority of thiamine in serum is bound to proteins, mainly albumin...
deficits associated with B12 deficiency-related anemia, which are not associated with anemia related to folatedeficiency. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient...
Granulocytic series: Hypersegmented neutrophils (also seen in vit B12/folatedeficiency) Hyposegmented neutrophils (pseudo Pelger-Huet) Hypogranular neutrophils...
repair cannot occur. Adequate folate levels are required for the development of the neural tube in the fetus. Folatedeficiency during pregnancy increases...
Quadros EV, Selhub J (May 2005). "Autoantibodies to folate receptors in the cerebral folatedeficiency syndrome". The New England Journal of Medicine. 352...
lower chance of developing skin cancer and conditions related to folatedeficiency, such as neural tube defects. Dark-skinned people living in low sunlight...
disease Dietary deficiencies: Folatedeficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency are common causes of anemia in pregnancy. Folatedeficiency occurs due to diets...
folate. The FIGLU test is used to identify vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, folatedeficiency, and liver failure or liver disease. It is elevated with folate trapping...
(Vitamin B-12 or folatedeficiency) but may be seen with dyserythropoiesis. Although macroovalocytes are characteristic in these deficiency states, they are...
nose and mouth. Vitamin B12 deficiency is sometimes responsible for AC, and commonly occurs together with folatedeficiency (a lack of folic acid), which...
many others. If left untreated in infants, deficiency may lead to neurological damage and anemia. Folate levels in the individual may affect the course...
chemicals, or certain infections during pregnancy. Risk factors include folatedeficiency, drinking alcohol or smoking during pregnancy, poorly controlled diabetes...
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