Patient was educated on complications of folate deficiency as follows:
- Neuropathy: Poor DNA synthesis and repair involving the nervous tissues, secondary to folate deficiency, can result in neuropathy. Patients can present with tingling and numbness of hands and feet, altered sensitivity to touch and temperature, radiating burning sensation in extremities, poor coordination and balance, and increased risk for falls & accidents.
- In pregnant women, folate helps with normal growth of fetal brain and spinal cord. Deficiency of folate in pregnant women can result in defective growth of fetal brain and spinal cord, resulting in congenital defects.
- Stunted growth: Folate acts as an essential coenzyme in the body, needed for various metabolic and biologic functions. Folate deficiency can compromise these metabolic functions, resulting in slow and stunted growth, especially in infants and young adults.
