
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions โ written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Macrocytic anemia secondary prevention
Introduction
Overview
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
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
References
- โ Metz J (October 2013). “Haematological implications of folate food fortification”. S. Afr. Med. J. 103 (12 Suppl 1): 978โ81. doi:10.7196/samj.7022. PMIDย 24300642.
- โ 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: 23โ38. doi:10.1111/j.1740-8709.2010.00261.x. PMIDย 22296249.
- โ 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): 138โ44. PMIDย 9040515.
- โ Seppรค K (September 1992). “Intervention in alcohol abuse among macrocytic patients in general practice”. Scand J Prim Health Care. 10 (3): 217โ22. PMIDย 1410953.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Shyam Patel [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omer Kamal, M.D.[3]
