A Family Doctor's Tale - FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY

DOC I HAVE FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY


Folic acid Deficiency is a medical condition caused by the deficiency of the human body of Folic acid as a result of inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption.

Every one needs Folic acid which is essential to build the red blood cells of the human body.

Folic acid which is also a B Vitamin is found primarily in
1.animal sources - liver , kidneys, egg yolks


2.vegetable and fruit sources: dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach,asparagus, brocolli ,fresh and dried beans,

fruits such as papaya, oranges , cantaloupe

and yeast

Optimal requirements of Folic acid are:
1.adults and children above puberty: 100mg daily
Pregnant mothers requires more folic acid (400-500mg per day)
2.Infants and children before puberty: 5omg daily

Functions of Folic acid:
1.Folic acid is essential for production of red blood cells together with Vitamin B12, iron, minerals, Vitamin C and protein.

2.Folic acid is also needed for growth and reproduction

3.Folic acid is needed for stimulating the brain cell function and has been used to prevent dementia.

Causes of Folic acid Deficiency:
Folic acid Deficiency occurs
1.when there is Folic acid deficiencies due to
a.diet - folic acid is just sufficient in normal western diet


b.malabsorption as in celiac syndrome, sprue or hepatic cirrhosis


c.malignancy affects the absorption of folic acid


d.oral contraceptive may affect the absorption of folic acid

2.Severity of Folic acid deficiency is inversely related to age.
It is more common in elderly people.

Symptoms of Folic acid deficiency:
1.Folic acid Deficiency is a silent disease.
People with Folic acid Deficiency often do not know that they have the condition.

2.macrocytic anemia - low hemogloblin, enlarged red blood cells, pallor


3.Mucosa - mucosal membrane lesions such as aphthous ulcers .

4.Growth-growth retardation and anemia is common in children with Folic acid deficiency

5.diarrhea - may occurs as a result of mucosal lesions in the intestinal walls


6.Mental-Brain dysfunction may occur in children and elderly with Folic acid deficiency.

Diagnosis of Folic acid deficiency:
1.Blood Folic acid levels are low

Treatment of Folic acid deficiency:
The goal of Folic acid Deficiency treatment is the prevention of anemia and mucosal lesions

Therefore, prevention of Folic acid Deficiency is as important as treatment.

Folic acid Deficiency treatment and prevention measures are:

Medications:
Folic acid supplements
Folic acid is given at 250 to 5000 mg per day orally until the response is adequate.

Side effects are negligible

Prognosis of Folic acid deficiency:
1.good response to treatment in folic acid deficiency.

2.treat underlying cause such as malabsorption to get a good response in the treatment of Folic acid Deficiency.