Megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency is commonly due to
Inadequate dietary intake
Defective intestinal absorption
Absence of folic acid binding protein in serum
Absence of glutamic acid in the intestine
Ref Harrison 19 th ed pg 646 Dietary folate deficiency is common. Indeed, in most patients with folate deficiency a nutritional element is present. Ceain individuals are paicularly prone to have diets containing inadequate amounts of folate (Table 128-5). In the United States and other countries where foification of the diet with folic acid has been adopted, the preva- lence of folate deficiency has dropped dramatically and is now almost restricted to high-risk groups with increased folate needs.
Haematology