Severe thrombocytopenia associated with acute folic acid deficiency and severe hemorrhage in two patients

Abstract

Severe thrombocytopenia associated with acute folic acid deficiency in two inpatients is described. Both patients had severe hemorrhagic manifestations. A similar syndrome has previously been described in patients who have undergone extensive surgery or dialysis or both. The present cases show that acute folic acid deficiency can occur in other circumstances and may go unrecognized because other signs in the peripheral blood of a megaloblastic process may be minimal. A good response was obtained with folic acid therapy.