Folate deficiency
Folate deficiency | |
Folic acid (B9) | |
ICD-10 | D52 E53.8 |
ICD-9 | 266.2 |
DiseasesDB | 4894 |
MedlinePlus | 000354 |
MeSH | D005494 |
Folate deficiency Microchapters |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Folic acid deficiency
Overview
Presentation
Diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss can occur. Additional signs are weakness, sore tongue, headaches, heart palpitations, irritability, and behavioral disorders.[1]
Women with folate deficiency who become pregnant are more likely to give birth to low birth weight and premature infants, and infants with neural tube defects.
In adults, anemia (Macrocytic, Megaloblastic anemia) is a sign of advanced folate deficiency.
In infants and children, folate deficiency can slow growth rate.
Late studies suggested an involvement in tumorogenesis (especially in colon) through demethylation/hypomethylation of fast replicating tissues.
Some of these symptoms can also result from a variety of medical conditions other than folate deficiency. It is important to have a physician evaluate these symptoms so that appropriate medical care can be given.
Differential Diagnosis of Causes of Folate deficiency
Treatment
Folic acid supplements are normally given with sulfasalazine. The purpose of methotrexate is to inhibit dihydrofolate reductase and thereby reduce the rate de novo purine and pyrimidine synthesis and cell division. It may therefore be counter-productive to take a folic acid supplement with methotrexate. Although the folic acid inhibition of sulfasalazine is normally seen as a side effect, it is possible that it is a part of the therapeutic effect of the drug, given that methotrexate, a frank folic acid inhibitor, is often given if sulfasalazine fails. It would therefore be wise to consult with a physician before taking a folic acid supplement along with sulfasalazine or methotrexate.
References
- ↑ Haslam N and Probert CS. (1998). "An audit of the investigation and treatment of folic acid deficiency". Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 91 (2): 72–3. PMID 9602741.