Folate deficiency anaemia

**Definition:** A disease caused by determinants affecting intestinal absorption of folate arising after birth. This disease is characterised by low levels of folate in the body leading to incomplete formation of red blood cells resulting in large numbers of immature and incompletely developed red blood cells. This disease may present with fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhoea, nausea, tachycardia or extremity paraesthesia. Confirmation is by identification of low folate levels in a blood sample.