Clinical Approach : Megaloblastic anemia in Children

Megaloblastic anemia in children is characterized by abnormally large red blood cells (megaloblasts) and is primarily caused by deficiencies in vitamin B12 or folate. A clinical approach to megaloblastic anemia in children begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination to identify...

• Megaloblastic anemia is characterized by large red blood cells (macro-ovalocytes) in peripheral blood smears with immature erythroid cells, and megaloblasts in the bone marrow. It arises from asynchronous maturation of the nucleus and cytoplasm in blood cell precursors due to impaired DNA synthesis. While often caused by vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, rare causes include thymidine deficiency, inborn errors of metabolism, or drug-induced issues.