Macrocytic anemia secondary prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Shyam Patel [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omer Kamal, M.D.[3]

Overview

Secondary prevention measures include folic acid supplementation in conditions with high metabolic demands for folate, such as like pregnancy, lactation, malabsorption, or chronic hemolytic disorder. Folic acid supplementation in pregnant women can also prevent fetal neural tube defects.

Secondary Prevention

Supplementation

Solely folate supplementation without vitamin B12 replacement therapy may precipitate subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord. The following steps can be undertaken to prevent macrocytic anemia:^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[3]

Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation in conditions with high metabolic demands for folate:
- Pregnancy: This can prevent fetal neural tube defects.
- Lactation
- Malabsorption
- Chronic hemolytic disorders

Laboratory monitoring

Laboratory monitoring of folate and vitamin B12 levels can be done as a secondary prevention measure in patients who are at high risk for deficiencies.

References

↑ Metz J (October 2013). “Haematological implications of folate food fortification”. S. Afr. Med. J. 103 (12 Suppl 1): 978–81. doi:10.7196/samj.7022. PMID 24300642.
↑ Fekete K, Berti C, Cetin I, Hermoso M, Koletzko BV, Decsi T (October 2010). “Perinatal folate supply: relevance in health outcome parameters”. Matern Child Nutr. 6 Suppl 2: 23–38. doi:10.1111/j.1740-8709.2010.00261.x. PMID 22296249.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Swain RA, St Clair L (February 1997). “The role of folic acid in deficiency states and prevention of disease”. J Fam Pract. 44 (2): 138–44. PMID 9040515.
↑ Seppä K (September 1992). “Intervention in alcohol abuse among macrocytic patients in general practice”. Scand J Prim Health Care. 10 (3): 217–22. PMID 1410953.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

[pmid24300642-1] Metz J (October 2013). “Haematological implications of folate food fortification”. S. Afr. Med. J. 103 (12 Suppl 1): 978–81. doi:10.7196/samj.7022. PMID 24300642.

[pmid22296249-2] Fekete K, Berti C, Cetin I, Hermoso M, Koletzko BV, Decsi T (October 2010). “Perinatal folate supply: relevance in health outcome parameters”. Matern Child Nutr. 6 Suppl 2: 23–38. doi:10.1111/j.1740-8709.2010.00261.x. PMID 22296249.

[pmid9040515-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Swain RA, St Clair L (February 1997). “The role of folic acid in deficiency states and prevention of disease”. J Fam Pract. 44 (2): 138–44. PMID 9040515.

[pmid1410953-4] Seppä K (September 1992). “Intervention in alcohol abuse among macrocytic patients in general practice”. Scand J Prim Health Care. 10 (3): 217–22. PMID 1410953.

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