Folic acid deficiency anemia
A common, slowly progressive megaloblastic anemia, folic acid deficiency anemia is most prevalent in infants, adolescents, pregnant and lactating females, alcoholics, elderly people, and people with malignant or intestinal diseases.
Causes
Folic acid deficiency anemia results from a decreased level or lack of folate, a vitamin that’s essential for red blood cell production and maturation. Causes include:
alcohol abuse (may suppress metabolic effects of folate)
inadequate diet (common in alcoholics, elderly people who live alone, and infants, especially those with infections or diarrhea)
impaired absorption (due to intestinal dysfunction from such disorders as celiac disease, tropical sprue, and regional jejunitis and from bowel resection)
bacteria competing for available folic acid
overcooking, which can destroy a high percentage of folic acids in foods
limited storage capacity in infants
prolonged drug therapy (with anticonvulsants and estrogens)
increased folic acid requirement
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