What nutritional deficiency causes hemolytic anemia?

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From the FDA Drug Label

Vitamin B12 is essential to growth, cell reproduction, hematopoiesis, and nucleoprotein and myelin synthesis. Deficiency has been recognized in infants of vegetarian mothers who were breast fed, even though the mothers had no symptoms of deficiency at the time. The nutrition deficiency that causes hemolytic anemia is not directly mentioned in the provided drug labels. However, it can be inferred that a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate may lead to anemia, but the specific type of anemia is not clearly stated as hemolytic anemia.

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause anemia, but the type of anemia is not specified.
  • Folate deficiency may also cause anemia, but again, the type of anemia is not specified. Given the information provided, it is not possible to conclude that a specific nutrition deficiency causes hemolytic anemia 1 1.

From the Research

Vitamin E deficiency is not the primary nutritional cause of hemolytic anemia mentioned in the provided evidence, however, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common enzyme defect that can cause hemolytic anemia, especially when triggered by certain medications or oxidative stress 2, 3. The provided evidence suggests that G6PD deficiency is a significant cause of hemolytic anemia, particularly in individuals with the G6PD A- variant 3.

  • G6PD deficiency can lead to hemolysis in the presence of oxidative stress, and certain medications such as dapsone can trigger acute hemolytic anemia in individuals with this deficiency 3.
  • The clinical spectrum and severity of hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient children receiving dapsone can be significant, with some requiring blood transfusions 3.
  • Other nutritional deficiencies that can contribute to hemolytic anemia include vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to megaloblastic anemia with some hemolytic features, as mentioned in the context of pernicious anemia 4. Treatment involves managing the underlying cause of the hemolytic anemia, which may include avoiding triggers such as certain medications, and in some cases, supplementation with the deficient nutrient.
  • Dietary sources and supplements can help prevent recurrence, but the specific treatment approach depends on the underlying cause of the hemolytic anemia.
  • It is essential to note that the provided evidence does not support vitamin E deficiency as a primary cause of hemolytic anemia, but rather highlights the importance of G6PD deficiency and other nutritional deficiencies in the development of this condition 5, 2, 3.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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