Ans : Megaloblastic Anemia is characterized by the presence of large Red
Blood Corpuscles in blood.
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Q.2) How does Megaloblastic Anemia progress? |
Ans: Folic acid plays a role in purine and pyrimidine
synthesis. Cobalamin (vitamin B 12) is required for the proper metabolism of
folate. Deficiency of either can ultimately lead to defective DNA metabolism and Megaloblastosis.
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Q.3) What are the causes of Megaloblastic Anemia? |
Ans: The causes are
- Deficiency of
- Folic acid.
-
Cobalamin (vit. B12).
- Drugs
- hydroxyurea.
-
methotrexate.
- Intrinsic factor deficiency
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Q.4)What are the symptoms of Megaloblastic Anemia? |
Ans: The symptoms are
- Fatigue.
- Pallor.
- Paresthesias (pins and needles sensation).
- Gait disturbance.
- Weakness.
- Intellectual/ Personality change.
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Q.5) What are the related signs? |
Ans: The related signs are
- Pallor
- Smooth tongue.
- Malnutrition
- Cobalamin -deficient only
- Diminished proprioception and vibratory sense.
- Spasticity.
- Dementia.
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Q.6) What investigations are done? |
Ans:
Laboratory tests conducted are
- MCV.
- Reticulocyte count.
- Blood smear.
- LDH.
- Serum bilirubin.
- Serum B12 level.
- Serum/red blood cell folate level.
- Methylmalonic acid.
- Holotranscobalamin II level.
- Schilling test.
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Q.7) What are the treatment measures? |
Ans: The treatment measures are
- Multivitamins
- Treatment of underlying cause, if present.
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Q.8) How can Megaloblastic Anemia be prevented? |
Ans: The preventive measures are
- Consumption of meat-based and vegetarian diets rich in vitamins.
- Vegetarians should supplement their diet with oral vitamins.
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Q.9) Important things one should know about Megaloblastic
Anemia? |
Ans: Emphasizing on the importance of lifelong therapy
will prove to be beneficial to prevent relapse in those whose cause is not reversible.
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Q.10) What are the associated factors / risk factors?
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Ans: No significant factors.
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