The following features are indicative of Folate Deficiency:
loss of appetite
weight loss
low birth weight premature infants
infants with neural tube defects
diarrhea
oral ulcers
megaloblastic anemia
seizures
blindness
cerebellar ataxia
Get TabletWise Pro
Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.
Common Causes of Folate Deficiency
The following are the most common causes of Folate Deficiency:
exposure to ultraviolet light
use of tanning beds
deficiency of vitamin B-12 hemorrhage
kidney dialysis
liver disease
malabsorption
Other Causes of Folate Deficiency
The following are the less common causes of Folate Deficiency:
pregnancy
lactation
tobacco smoking
alcohol consumption
Risk Factors for Folate Deficiency
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Folate Deficiency:
poor diet
alcoholism
malabsorptive disorders
Prevention of Folate Deficiency
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Folate Deficiency. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
intake folic acid rich supplements like green leafy vegetables
beans
nuts
wheat bran
mushrooms
Occurrence of Folate Deficiency
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Folate Deficiency cases seen each year worldwide:
Rare between 10K - 50K cases
Common Age Group
Folate Deficiency most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 20-50 years
Common Gender
Folate Deficiency most commonly occurs in the following gender:
Female
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Folate Deficiency
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Folate Deficiency:
Blood testing: To detect folic acid deficiency
Doctor for Diagnosis of Folate Deficiency
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Folate Deficiency:
Endocrinologist
Complications of Folate Deficiency if untreated
Yes, Folate Deficiency causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Folate Deficiency is left untreated:
anemia
low levels of white blood cells and platelets
Self-care for Folate Deficiency
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Folate Deficiency:
Use of steaming or a microwave oven: Helps to keep more folate content in the cooked foods
Eat green leafy vegetables and beans: To cope up with folate deficiency
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Folate Deficiency
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Folate Deficiency:
Folic acid rich supplements: To improve the deficiency of folic acid
Time for Treatment of Folate Deficiency
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Folate Deficiency to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
Disease cannot be treated but only maintained or effects reduced