Husnain Hashim, Fareeda Tahir.
Frequency of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies amongst patients of megaloblastic anemia.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;2(3):192-4.

Objective: To find out frequency of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies in patients of megaloblastic anemia Place and Duration of Study: This observational study was conducted at the department of medicine, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from July 2004 to June 2005 Subject and Methods: A total of 50 consecutive patients of megaloblastic anemia diagnosed on the basis of bone marrow biopsy were subjected to evaluation of vitamin B12 and folate levels. The patients who had concomitant iron deficiency were excluded from the study Result: In a total of 50 cases, 26 were males and 24 females. Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 26 cases, folic acid deficiency in 12 patients and both B12 and folate deficiencies in the remaining 12 cases. Amongst males, 23 patients had B12 deficiency and 3 showed normal B12 levels. Amongst females. 16 showed B12 deficiency and the remaining 8 had normal B12 levels. Folate deficiency was seen in 7 out of 26 males, and in 16 out of 24 female patients. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies are common amongst young patients of both sexes.

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