Megaloblastic anemia

What it means

Anemia characterized by the presence of erythroblasts that are larger than normal (megaloblasts).

Megaloblastic anemia can result from folic acid deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency. Folate deficiency leads to an impairment of DNA synthesis such that the cell cycle cannot progress from the G2 growth stage to the mitosis stage, in turn leading to continuing cell growth without division, which presents as macrocytosis.

Rare diseases that can present with this11

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Megaloblastic anaemia