Folic Acid Deficiency

A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of FOLIC ACID in the diet. Many plant and animal tissues contain folic acid, abundant in green leafy vegetables, yeast, liver, and mushrooms but destroyed by long-term cooking. Alcohol interferes with its intermediate metabolism and absorption. Folic acid deficiency may develop in long-term anticonvulsant therapy or with use of oral contraceptives. This deficiency causes anemia, macrocytic anemia, and megaloblastic anemia. It is indistinguishable from vitamin B 12 deficiency in peripheral blood and bone marrow findings, but the neurologic lesions seen in B 12 deficiency do not occur. (Merck Manual, 16th ed)

Year introduced: 1966(1964)

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Tree Number(s): C18.654.521.500.133.699.308

MeSH Unique ID: D005494

Entry Terms:

• Deficiency, Folic Acid
• Acid Deficiencies, Folic
• Acid Deficiency, Folic
• Deficiencies, Folic Acid
• Folic Acid Deficiencies

See Also:

• Anemia, Sideroblastic
• FIGLU Test

All MeSH Categories
Diseases Category
Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases
Nutrition Disorders
Malnutrition
Deficiency Diseases
Avitaminosis
Vitamin B Deficiency
Folic Acid Deficiency