Folic acid deficiency, megaloblastic anemia and peripheral polyneuropathy due to oral contraceptives

Abstract

A 34-year-old woman developed megaloblastic anemia and peripheral polyneuropathy following the use of oral contraceptives for 4 years. Low levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 were found. Both the complete recovery after therapy with the vitamins, and the absence of other causes of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency, suggest that the vitamin deficiencies were caused by the oral contraceptives and resulted in the rare combination of megaloblastic anemia and polyneuropathy. The poor response to vitamin B12 alone, and the development of anemia and polyneuropathy 4 months after cessation of vitamin B12 therapy suggest that folate deficiency was the primary problem.

PIP: A 34-year old woman developed megaloblastic anemia and peripheral polyneuropathy following the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) for 4 years. Low levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 were found. Both the complete recovery after therapy with the vitamins and the absence of other causes of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency suggest that these were caused by OCs and resulted in the rare combination of megaloblastic anemia and polyneuropathy. The poor response to vitamin B12 alone, and the development of anemia and polyneuropathy 4 months after cessation of vitamin B12 therapy suggest that folate deficiency was the primary problem.