Folate Deficiency in Lactating Woman
Keywords:
folate deficiency, megaloblastic anemia, lactation, folic acidAbstract
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and is important for nucleic acid synthesis. Folate deficiency causes anemia, and often found in cases of inadequate dietary source of folate intake, malabsorption, increased folate requirement such as pregnancy or lactation, alcoholism.
We reported a 18-year old Thai female with no known underlying disease presented with fatigue and dyspnea on exertion for 3 weeks. 10 months ago, she had normal vaginal delivered and nursed her baby with exclusive breast feeding for 6 months without vitamin supplementation during pregnancy and lactating period. She had severe anemia that compatible with megaloblastic anemia from folate deficiency. After treatment with folic acid and medical nutrition support, anemic symptoms and complete blood count was improved.
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