Megaloblastic anemia

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Blood cells

Hypersegmented PMN (Close-up)

Megaloblastic anemia - view of red blood cells

Megaloblastic anemia is a blood disorder in which there is anemia with larger-than-normal red blood cells.

Anemia - megaloblastic

Megaloblastic anemia is usually caused by a deficiency of folic acid or vitamin B12. Other causes are:

• Alcohol abuse
• Certain inherited disorders
• Drugs that affect DNA, such as chemotherapy drugs
• Leukemia
• Myelodysplastic syndrome
• Myelofibrosis

Risk factors relate to the causes.

See also: Pernicious anemia

Review Date: 11/23/2008
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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