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| ==Overview== | | ==Overview== |
| [[Folate deficiency]] is the deficiency of folic acid, which is a necessary compound for the normal production of red blood cells. Folic acid is part of the vitamin B complex. The recommended daily amount of '''[[Folic Acid|folate]]''' for adults is 400 micrograms (mcg). Adult women who are planning pregnancy or could become pregnant should be advised to get 400 to 800 mcg of '''folic''' acid a day.
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| The deficiency of [[Folic Acid|folic acid]] is associated with a type of [[anemia]], characterized by enlarged blood corpuscles, called [[megaloblastic anemia]].The anemia is thought to be due to problems in the synthesis of DNA precursors, specifically in the synthesis of [[thymine]], which is required for normal [[erythropoesis]] which is dependent on products of the [[5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase#reaction|MTR reaction]]. Other cell lines such as [[White blood cell|white blood cells]] and [[Platelet|platelets]] are also found to be low due to impaired division of the precursor cells. [[Bone marrow]] examination may show megaloblastic [[hemopoiesis]]. The anemia is easy to cure with folic acid supplementation.
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| ==Historical Perspective== | | ==Historical Perspective== |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating [Disease] from Other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural History
Complications
Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Prevention
References
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