folic acid deficiency anemia
- folic acid deficiency anemia
-
also called folate deficiency anemia
type of
anemia resulting from a deficient intake of the vitamin
folic acid (
folate). Folic acid, a B vitamin, is needed for the formation of heme, the pigmented, iron-containing portion of the
hemoglobin in red blood cells (erythrocytes (
erythrocyte)). A deficient intake of folic acid impairs the maturation of young red blood cells, which results in anemia. The disease also is characterized by
leukopenia (a deficiency of white blood cells, or leukocytes (
leukocyte)),
by thrombocytopenia (a deficiency of platelets (
platelet)), by ineffective blood formation in the bone marrow, and by progressive gastrointestinal symptoms, such as sore tongue, fissures at the corners of the mouth,
diarrhea, inflammation of the pharynx or esophagus, and ulceration of the stomach and intestine. Folic acid deficiency develops over a period of several months and may result from a diet that is low or lacking in foods containing folic acid. The deficiency may also be brought on by poor absorption of folic acid in the intestine due to
celiac disease or anticonvulsant drug therapy or by faulty metabolism of the vitamin in the liver due to
cirrhosis. It can also occur in pregnant women and in persons with severe hemolytic anemia (dissolution of red blood cells by hemolysin). The oral administration of folic acid produces quick improvement in all symptoms; an adequate diet results in cure in cases due to simple malnutrition.
* * *
Universalium.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
folic-acid-deficiency anemia — Anemia resulting from too little folic acid, needed for red blood cell maturation (see erythrocyte). White cell and platelet levels are also often low. Progressive gastrointestinal problems develop. It may result from poor diet or from… … Universalium
folic acid deficiency anemia — macrocytic anemia due to deficiency of folic acid. Called also nutritional macrocytic a … Medical dictionary
Folic acid — One of the B vitamins that is a key factor in the synthesis (the making) of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA). A deficiency of folic acid after birth causes a kind of anemia, namely, megaloblastic anemia in which there is a paucity of red blood cells… … Medical dictionary
folic acid — Biochem. a water soluble vitamin that is converted to a coenzyme essential to purine and thymine biosynthesis: deficiency causes a form of anemia. [1940 45] * * * or folate Organic compound essential to animal growth and health and needed by… … Universalium
Folic acid — Folic acid … Wikipedia
deficiency anemia — n NUTRITIONAL ANEMIA * * * anemia caused by lack of a specific substance required for normal hemoglobin synthesis and erythrocytic maturation and arising by several means, such as malabsorption or poor dietary intake. See folic acid deficiency a … Medical dictionary
anemia — /euh nee mee euh/, n. 1. Pathol. a quantitative deficiency of the hemoglobin, often accompanied by a reduced number of red blood cells and causing pallor, weakness, and breathlessness. 2. a lack of power, vigor, vitality, or colorfulness: His… … Universalium
acid — acidly, adv. acidness, n. /as id/, n. 1. Chem. a compound usually having a sour taste and capable of neutralizing alkalis and reddening blue litmus paper, containing hydrogen that can be replaced by a metal or an electropositive group to form a… … Universalium
deficiency — /di fish euhn see/, n., pl. deficiencies. 1. the state of being deficient; lack; incompleteness; insufficiency. 2. the amount lacked; a deficit. [1625 35; < LL deficientia, L deficient (s. of deficiens). See DEFICIENT, ENCY] Syn. 1. shortage,… … Universalium
folic acid — fo′lic ac′id n. biochem. a water soluble vitamin that is converted to a coenzyme essential to purine and thymine biosynthesis: deficiency causes a form of anemia • Etymology: 1941; < L fol(ium) leaf + ic … From formal English to slang
