Folic Acid

Deficiency
Anemia
Prepared by:
Arwa , Amna , Kawkab, Ayat ,
Ghanimah, Madlin, Intelaq
Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia

•What Is Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia?

•Having too little folate (vitamin B9) in your blood causes folic acid deficiency anemia.
•Folate is necessary for your body to make new red blood cells. Your body needs red blood
cells to carry oxygen to your organs. Not having enough red blood cells causes a condition
called anemia, which can make you feel weak and tired.
•Your baby may be at higher risk of developing serious birth defects like spina bifida if you
have folic acid deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Spina bifida causes the baby’s spinal
column to be malformed.
•If you’re folic acid deficient, taking supplements to increase your folic acid level can reduce
your risk of developing anemia. What’s more: Experts at Harvard Medical School say that
getting enough folic acid can reduce your risk of developing colon cancer and heart disease.
Folic Acid •
• What Is Folic Acid?
• Folic acid is the synthetic version of the
vitamin folate, also called B9. Your body
loses B9 when you sweat and urinate. And
your body can’t store it, so you need this
vitamin daily.
Signs and
Symptoms
• Symptoms of folic acid
deficiency include:
• fatigue
• mouth sores
• gray hair
• swollen tongue
• poor growth (also among the
chief symptoms of
malnutrition)
 Signs and Symptoms
Once anemia occurs, you might experience the following:
• fatigue
• dizziness
• feeling cold
• irritability
• headache
• difficulty breathing
• pale skin
• diarrhea
• weight loss
• loss of appetite
• difficulty concentrating
What Causes Folic
Acid Deficiency
Anemia?

Factors that increase your likelihood of developing

this condition include:
• eating overcooked foods
• consuming a vitamin-poor diet
• heavy alcohol drinking (alcohol interferes with
folate absorption)
• medical conditions (like sickle cell disease)
• medications
• pregnancy
How Is Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia
Diagnosed?
• Other blood conditions can cause symptoms similar to folic acid deficiency anemia.
You’ll need to see your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will do a complete blood
count (CBC)test to determine if you have folic acid deficiency anemia. This test will
reveal if your red blood cell count is low.
• Your doctor may also order a bloodtest to check your folic acid levels. This is called
a red blood cell folate level test. If you’re of childbearing age, your doctor may
order a pregnancy test to determine if this is the cause of your deficiency. They’ll
also ask questions about your eating habits to see if malnutrition is the culprit.
• Be sure to mention to your doctor whether you’re taking any medications. Some
can contribute to folic acid deficiency.
How Is Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia
Treated?
• The goal of treatment is to increase your body’s folic acid levels. The easiest way
is to take folic acid tablets daily, until the deficiency is corrected. However, you
might need to receive folic acid intravenously if your levels are too low.
• Along with taking supplements, you should eat foods that are high in folic acid,
such as pinto beans, spinach, and oranges. Eat plenty of fresh foods and avoid
processed or fried foods. They’re usually low in nutrients and high in fat.
• Harvard Medical School guidelines recommend consuming 400 mcg
(micrograms) of folic acid per day. Pregnancy and certain health conditions may
warrant taking more. The most you can take without developing symptoms of an
overdose is 1,000 mcg of folic acid per day.
• Consult with your doctor before taking folic acid supplements.
How Is Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia
Treated?
Complications of anemia caused by folic
acid deficiency
Complications:
• Folate deficiency may lead to problems with red blood cells,
such as megaloblastic anemia, which can deprive the body’s
organs and tissues of necessary oxygen.
• Folate deficiency anemia in women during pregnancy may
lead to problems in a developing fetus, including serious
abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord or low birth
weight.