Patient was educated on risk factors for folate deficiency as follows:
- Injury to small intestine
- Folate is normally absorbed in the small intestine.
- Any injury to small intestine, such as, in individuals with Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, can result in poor folate absorption.
- Individuals with history of small intestine resection can have reduced site of folate absorption, contributing to compromised folate absorption and deficiency.
- Pregnancy
- 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 brain and spinal cord, resulting in congenital defects.
- During pregnancy, women can present with folate deficiency, secondary to increased fetal requirements and biological demands of pregnancy.
- Medications
- Chronic use of some antiseizure, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory medications can interfere and inhibit absorption of folate in small intestine.
- Reduced absorption of folate can result in folate deficiency.
