Virtual Medical Centre

Megaloblastic anaemia

• What is Megaloblastic anaemia?
• Who gets Megaloblastic anaemia?
• Predisposing Factors
• Progression
• Probable Outcomes
• How is Megaloblastic anaemia Diagnosed?
• How is Megaloblastic anaemia treated?
• Megaloblastic anaemia References
• Drugs/Products Associated with Megaloblastic anaemia

What is Megaloblastic anaemia?

Megaloblastic anaemia is a disorder of the bone marrow. There is a presence of erythroblasts in the bone marrow with delayed nuclear maturation because of defective DNA synthesis (megaloblasts).

Who gets Megaloblastic anaemia?

Most common in the elderly with 1 in 8000. It can be seen in all races, but is particularly common in Nordic people. There is an association with other autoimmune diseases, particularly thyroid disease, Addison's disease and vitilgo.

Predisposing Factors

• Vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Folic acid deficiency
• Conditions with neither B12 nor folate deficiency, e.g. orotic aciduria, where there is a defect in pyrimidine synthesis, therapy with drugs interfering with DNA synthesis and myelodysplasia.

Progression

• A deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 may cause megaloblastic anaemia by reducing the supply of the coenzyme methylene tetrahydrofolate.
• Other congenital and acqiuired forms of megaloblastic anaemia are due to interference with purine or pyrimidine causing an inhibition in DNA synthesis.