Megaloblastic Anemia

Megaloblastic anemia (MA) is a descriptive morphologic term that refers to abnormal hematopoiesis characterized by dyssynchronous nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. More than 95% of megaloblastic anemias are due to deficiency or deranged metabolism of either cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) or folate. Folate deficiency MA is more common in Ethiopians. All the causes of megaloblastic anemia produce a common set of hematologic, laboratory and histologic abnormalities in the host. Folate deficient patients are usually malnourished. Neuropsychiatric manifestations are encountered in cobalamin deficiency, but not in folate deficiency states.

Diagnosis:

1. Complete blood count and red blood cell indices
2. Peripheral blood smear examination and reticulocyte count
3. Serum cobalamin and folate levels and RBC folate content
4. Bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy

Treatment:

General:

• Correctable or treatable causes must be identified and accordingly dealt with.
• Patients should be advised to take dairy products (cobalamin) and green vegetables (folate).

Drug Treatment:

Specific therapy is directed toward replacing the deficient factor.

Vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin)

A typical regimen for the correction of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is the administration of 1 mg vitamin B₁₂ i.m. twice during the first week, followed by 1 mg weekly until the blood count is normal.Treatment (1 mg every 2-3 months) is continued for life if the cause cannot be corrected.

S/E: Itching, fever chills, hot flushes, nausea and dizziness.

Dosage forms: Injection, 100 mcg/ml, 1000 mcg/ml in 1 ml ampoule.

Folic Acid

Folate deficiency MA is treated with folate replacement therapy, 5 mg per os for 4 months; child up to 1 year, 500 micrograms/kg daily; over 1 year, as adult dose. Higher doses may be required in malabsorption states.

C/I: Folate-dependent malignancies

Dosage forms: tablet, 200 mcg, 1 mg, 5 mg; injection, 5 mg/ml in 1 ml ampoule.

Caution: Folic acid should never be given without vitamin B₁₂ in undiagnosed megaloblastic anemia or other vitamin B₁₂ deficiency states.

Note:

The hematologic picture normalizes in about 2 months in both cobalamin and folate replacement therapy. Large doses of folate may produce hematologic response in cobalamin deficiency states. This masks the cobalamin deficiency state and allows the neurologic damage to progress. Therefore, if both folate and cobalamin are deficient, cobalamin is administered first, followed by folate.

ANEMIA

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

Iron deficiency denotes a deficit in total body iron resulting from iron requirements that exceed its supply. IDA is a manifestation of an underlying disease condition and is not in itself a complete diagnosis. Common causes of IDA include: increased iron requirements (growth-spurt, pregnancy and lactation), blood loss (blood donation, frequent phlebotomy, chronic bleeding), worm infestation (hookworm), and inadequate iron supply (malnutrition, malabsorption). The symptoms of IDA include fatigue, giddiness, headache, tinnitus, palpitations, sore tongue and dysphagia and are not specific to IDA.

Diagnosis:

1. Complete blood count and red blood cell indices

2. Peripheral blood smear examination and reticulocyte count

3. Serum ferritin level and bone marrow iron studies

4. Stool for ova and parasites and occult blood, digital per rectum examination, upper and lower GI radiologic and endoscopic studies, and genitourinary gynecologic and urologic examinations complete the workup of a patient with IDA.

Treatment:

General:

• The underlying cause of anemia should be identified and treated or corrected.

• Patients should be encouraged to take diet with optimal bioavailable iron such as meat.

• Patients with symptomatic anemia (such as congestive heart failure) should be transfused packed red blood cells, cautiously.

Drug Treatment

First Line

Ferrous sulfate, 325 mg tablets (65 mg elemental iron), or any other iron salt, taken tid between meals to maximize absorption is the treatment of choice. Treatment is continued for at least 3 months following correction of the anemia to replenish iron stores.

S/E: Nausea, abdominal cramps and dyspeptic symptoms, constipation or diarrhea. For patients who do not tolerate ferrous sulfate tablets, they may be advised to take it with meals, or to start a smaller dose, or to change the brand to ferrous gluconate or fumarat tablets or elixir forms.

D/I: Antacids, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and quinolone antibiotics interfere with the absorption and metabolism of iron.

In severe cases, refer to the near by District Hospital