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Megaloblastic anemia: Back in focus

  • Symposium on Nutritional Anemia
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The Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Megaloblastic anemia (MA), in most instances in developing countries, results from deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid. Over the last two to three decades, incidence of MA seems to be increasing. Of the two micronutrients, folic acid deficiency contributed to MA in a large majority of cases. Now deficiency of B12 is far more common. In addition to anemia, occurrence of neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia is increasingly being reported. Among cases presenting with pancytopenia, MA stands out as an important (commonest cause in some series) cause. This article focuses on these and certain other aspects of MA. Possible causes of increasing incidence of MA are discussed. Observations on other clinical features like neurocognitive dysfunction, associated hyperhomocysteinemeia and occurrence of tremors and thrombocytosis during treatment are highlighted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Jagdish Chandra

  2. 5, Lecturer Flats, Lady Hardinge Medical College Campus, Bangla Sahib Road, New Delhi, 110001, India

    Jagdish Chandra

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  1. Jagdish Chandra
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Correspondence to Jagdish Chandra.

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Chandra, J. Megaloblastic anemia: Back in focus. Indian J Pediatr 77, 795–799 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0121-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-010-0121-2

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