nutritional disorders
Folate Deficiency
Key Points
Most commonly, folate deficiency results from reduced intake (eg, due to alcohol use disorder), increased demand (eg, due to pregnancy), or impaired absorption (eg, due to drugs or malabsorption disorders). Prolonged cooking destroys folate, but many dietary staples are supplemented with folate. Deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia and sometimes glossitis, diarrhea, depression, and confusion. Measure serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in patients who have megaloblastic anemia. To treat deficiency, give patients supplemental folate 400 to 1000 mcg orally once a day. 