Megaloblastic anemia | Miami Children's Hospital

Definition

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Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

Hypersegmented PMN (Close-up)

Blood cells

Megaloblastic anemia is a blood disorder in which there is anemia with larger-than-normal red blood cells.

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues.

Alternative Names

Anemia - megaloblastic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Megaloblastic anemia is usually caused by a deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12.

Other less common causes are:

Alcohol abuse
Certain inherited disorders
Drugs that affect DNA, such as chemotherapy drugs
Leukemia
Myelodysplastic syndrome
Myelofibrosis
The anticonvulsant drug dilantin

Risk factors relate to the causes.

Symptoms

See:

Anemia - B12 deficiency
Folate-deficiency anemia
Pernicious anemia

Signs and tests

For testing information, see:

Anemia - B12 deficiency
Folate-deficiency anemia
Pernicious anemia

Treatment

The first goal is to diagnose the cause of the anemia. The treatment depends on the cause. Anemias related to specific vitamin deficiencies are discussed separately.

See:

Anemia - B12 deficiency
Folate-deficiency anemia
Pernicious anemia

References

Antony AC. Megoblastic anemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 39.

Kaferie J, Strzoda CE. Evaluation of macrocytosis. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79:203-208.

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