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Megaloblastic anemia

MedGen UID:
1527
Concept ID:
C0002888
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Anemia, Megaloblastic; Anemias, Megaloblastic; Megaloblastic Anemia; Megaloblastic Anemias
SNOMED CT: Megaloblastic anemia (53165003)
 
HPO: HP:0001889
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0001700

Definition

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

Conditions with this feature

Pernicious anemia
MedGen UID:
1531
Concept ID:
C0002892
Disease or Syndrome
Megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency due to impaired absorption. The impaired absorption of vitamin B-12 is secondary to atrophic gastritis and loss of gastric parietal cells.
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
MedGen UID:
9721
Concept ID:
C0023374
Disease or Syndrome
HPRT1 disorders, caused by deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGprt), are typically associated with clinical evidence for overproduction of uric acid (hyperuricemia, nephrolithiasis, and/or gouty arthritis) and varying degrees of neurologic and/or behavioral problems. Historically, three phenotypes were identified in the spectrum of HPRT1 disorders: Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) at the most severe end with motor dysfunction resembling severe cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and self-injurious behavior; HPRT1-related neurologic dysfunction (HND) in the intermediate range with similar but fewer severe neurologic findings than LND and no self-injurious behavior; and HPRT1-related hyperuricemia (HRH) at the mild end without overt neurologic deficits. It is now recognized that these neurobehavioral phenotypes cluster along a continuum from severe to mild.
Glutamate formiminotransferase deficiency
MedGen UID:
82823
Concept ID:
C0268609
Disease or Syndrome
Glutamate formiminotransferase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder and the second most common inborn error of folate metabolism. Features of a severe phenotype include elevated levels of formiminoglutamate (FIGLU) in the urine in response to histidine administration, megaloblastic anemia, and mental retardation. Features of a mild phenotype include high urinary excretion of FIGLU in the absence of histidine administration, mild developmental delay, and no hematologic abnormalities (summary by Hilton et al., 2003).
Hereditary intrinsic factor deficiency
MedGen UID:
235598
Concept ID:
C1394891
Disease or Syndrome
Intrinsic factor deficiency (IFD), or congenital pernicious anemia, is a rare disorder characterized by the lack of gastric intrinsic factor in the presence of normal acid secretion and mucosal cytology and the absence of GIF antibodies that are found in the acquired form of pernicious anemia (170900). See also pernicious anemia due to defect in the receptor for vitamin B12/intrinsic factor (261100).
Wolfram syndrome, mitochondrial form
MedGen UID:
325511
Concept ID:
C1838782
Disease or Syndrome
Methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type cblD
MedGen UID:
341253
Concept ID:
C1848552
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Cobalamin C disease
MedGen UID:
341256
Concept ID:
C1848561
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type cblF
MedGen UID:
336373
Concept ID:
C1848578
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Methylcobalamin deficiency type cblG
MedGen UID:
344426
Concept ID:
C1855128
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Intrinsic factor and r binder, combined congenital deficiency of
MedGen UID:
340942
Concept ID:
C1855721
Disease or Syndrome
Methylcobalamin deficiency type cblE
MedGen UID:
344640
Concept ID:
C1856057
Disease or Syndrome
Disorders of intracellular cobalamin metabolism have a variable phenotype and age of onset that are influenced by the severity and location within the pathway of the defect. The prototype and best understood phenotype is cblC; it is also the most common of these disorders. The age of initial presentation of cblC spans a wide range: In utero with fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops, cardiomyopathy, and intrauterine growth restriction. Newborns, who can have microcephaly, poor feeding, and encephalopathy. Infants, who can have poor feeding and slow growth, neurologic abnormality, and, rarely, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Toddlers, who can have poor growth, progressive microcephaly, cytopenias (including megaloblastic anemia), global developmental delay, encephalopathy, and neurologic signs such as hypotonia and seizures. Adolescents and adults, who can have neuropsychiatric symptoms, progressive cognitive decline, thromboembolic complications, and/or subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
PHGDH deficiency
MedGen UID:
400935
Concept ID:
C1866174
Disease or Syndrome
Phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase deficiency (PHGDHD) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of L-serine biosynthesis that is characterized by congenital microcephaly, psychomotor retardation, and seizures (summary by Jaeken et al., 1996).
Constitutional megaloblastic anemia with severe neurologic disease
MedGen UID:
462555
Concept ID:
C3151205
Disease or Syndrome
Dihydrofolate reductase deficiency is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder characterized by the hematologic findings of megaloblastic anemia and variable neurologic symptoms, ranging from severe developmental delay and generalized seizures in infancy (Banka et al., 2011) to childhood absence epilepsy with learning difficulties to lack of symptoms (Cario et al., 2011). Treatment with folinic acid can ameliorate some of the symptoms.
Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome type 1
MedGen UID:
865256
Concept ID:
C4016819
Finding
3-Methylglutaconic aciduria type I (MGCA1) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of leucine catabolism. The metabolic landmark is urinary excretion of 3-methylglutaconic acid (3-MGA) and its derivatives 3-methylglutaric acid (3-MG) and 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid (3-HIVA). Two main presentations have been described: one with onset in childhood associated with the nonspecific finding of psychomotor retardation, and the other with onset in adulthood of a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by ataxia, spasticity, and sometimes dementia; these patients develop white matter lesions in the brain. However, some asymptomatic pediatric patients have been identified by newborn screening and show no developmental abnormalities when reexamined later in childhood (summary by Wortmann et al., 2010). Genetic Heterogeneity and Classification of Methylglutaconic Aciduria Methylglutaconic aciduria is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorder. Type II MGCA (MGCA2), also known as Barth syndrome (BTHS; 302060), is caused by mutation in the tafazzin gene (TAZ; 300394) on chromosome Xq28. It is characterized by mitochondrial cardiomyopathy, short stature, skeletal myopathy, and recurrent infections; cognitive development is normal. Type III MGCA (MGCA3; 258501), caused by mutation in the OPA3 gene (606580) on chromosome 19q13, involves optic atrophy, movement disorder, and spastic paraplegia. In types II and III, the elevations of 3-methylglutaconate and 3-methylglutarate in urine are modest. Type IV MGCA (MGCA4; 250951) represents an unclassified group of patients who have severe psychomotor retardation and cerebellar dysgenesis. Type V MGCA (MGCA5; 610198), caused by mutation in the DNAJC19 gene (608977) on chromosome 3q26, is characterized by early-onset dilated cardiomyopathy with conduction defects, nonprogressive cerebellar ataxia, testicular dysgenesis, and growth failure in addition to 3-methylglutaconic aciduria (Chitayat et al., 1992; Davey et al., 2006). Type VI MGCA (MGCA6; 614739), caused by mutation in the SERAC1 gene (614725) on chromosome 6q25, includes deafness, encephalopathy, and a Leigh-like syndrome. Type VII MGCA (MGCA7B, 616271 and MGCA7A, 619835), caused by mutation in the CLPB gene (616254) on chromosome 11q13, includes cataracts, neurologic involvement, and neutropenia. Type VIII MGCA (MGCA8; 617248) is caused by mutation in the HTRA2 gene (606441) on chromosome 2p13. Type IX MGCA (MGCA9; 617698) is caused by mutation in the TIMM50 gene (607381) on chromosome 19q13. Eriguchi et al. (2006) noted that type I MGCA is very rare, with only 13 patients reported in the literature as of 2003. Wortmann et al. (2013) proposed a pathomechanism-based classification for 'inborn errors of metabolism with 3-methylglutaconic aciduria as discriminative feature.'
Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome type 2
MedGen UID:
865385
Concept ID:
C4016948
Disease or Syndrome
Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome-2 (IGS2) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by onset of megaloblastic anemia associated with decreased serum vitamin B12 (cobalamin, Cbl) in infancy or early childhood. Low molecular weight (LMW) proteinuria is frequently present, but usually occurs later and is usually mild or subclinical. Patients often present with vague symptoms, including failure to thrive, loss of appetite, fatigue, lethargy, and/or recurrent infections. Treatment with vitamin B12 results in sustained clinical improvement of the anemia. The proteinuria is nonprogressive, and affected individuals do not have deterioration of kidney function; correct diagnosis is important to prevent unnecessary treatment. The disorder results from a combination of vitamin B12 deficiency due to selective malabsorption of the vitamin, and impaired reabsorption of LMW proteins in the proximal renal tubule. These defects are caused by disruption of the AMN/CUBN (602997) complex that forms the 'cubam' receptor responsible for intestinal uptake of B12/GIF (CBLIF; 609342). In the kidney, AMN/CUBN interacts with the endocytic receptor megalin (LRP2; 600073), which is important for the reabsorption of plasma proteins (summary by Grasbeck, 2006, De Filippo et al., 2013, and Storm et al., 2013). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome, see 261100.
Combined immunodeficiency and megaloblastic anemia with or without hyperhomocysteinemia
MedGen UID:
1615364
Concept ID:
C4540434
Disease or Syndrome
Combined immunodeficiency and megaloblastic anemia with or without hyperhomocysteinemia is an inborn error of folate metabolism due to deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase-1. Manifestations may include hemolytic uremic syndrome, macrocytosis, epilepsy, hearing loss, retinopathy, mild mental retardation, lymphopenia involving all subsets, and low T-cell receptor excision circles. Folinic acid supplementation is an effective treatment (summary by Ramakrishnan et al., 2016).
Wolfram syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
1641635
Concept ID:
C4551693
Disease or Syndrome
WFS1 Wolfram syndrome spectrum disorder (WFS1-WSSD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by onset of diabetes mellitus (DM) and optic atrophy (OA) before age 16 years, and typically associated with other endocrine abnormalities, sensorineural hearing loss, and progressive neurologic abnormalities (cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, dementia, psychiatric illness, and urinary tract atony). Although DM is mostly insulin-dependent, overall the course is milder (with lower prevalence of microvascular disease) than that seen in isolated DM. OA typically results in significantly reduced visual acuity in the first decade. Sensorineural hearing impairment ranges from congenital deafness to milder, sometimes progressive, hearing impairment.
Immunodeficiency 114, folate-responsive
MedGen UID:
1848890
Concept ID:
C5882719
Disease or Syndrome
Folate-responsive immunodeficiency-114 (IMD114) is an autosomal recessive immunologic disorder characterized by the onset of oral ulcers and recurrent skin and respiratory infections in early infancy. Affected individuals have lip fissures, skin sores and abscesses, genital dermatitis, chronic diarrhea, and poor overall growth. Laboratory studies show megaloblastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia with decreased Ig levels. Some individuals have global developmental delay, often with brain imaging abnormalities. Treatment with folic acid supplementation results in significant clinical improvement of the hematologic and immunologic abnormalities, although neurologic abnormalities, if already present, do not respond to treatment. Early intervention and treatment with folic acid supplementation may prevent or delay neurologic deficits in affected infants (Gok et al., 2023; Shiraishi et al., 2023).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Di Candia F, Di Iorio V, Tinto N, Bonfanti R, Iovino C, Rosanio FM, Fedi L, Iafusco F, Arrigoni F, Malesci R, Simonelli F, Rigamonti A, Franzese A, Mozzillo E
Ital J Pediatr 2023 Nov 30;49(1):158. doi: 10.1186/s13052-023-01553-1. PMID: 38037112Free PMC Article
Langan RC, Goodbred AJ
Am Fam Physician 2017 Sep 15;96(6):384-389. PMID: 28925645
Saraya AK, Gupta MK
Indian J Pediatr 1987 May-Jun;54(3):343-53. doi: 10.1007/BF02748918. PMID: 3301655

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Green R, Miller JW
Vitam Horm 2022;119:405-439. Epub 2022 Mar 11 doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.02.003. PMID: 35337628
Ferrazzi E, Tiso G, Di Martino D
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020 Oct;253:312-319. Epub 2020 Jun 13 doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.06.012. PMID: 32868164
Zaric BL, Obradovic M, Bajic V, Haidara MA, Jovanovic M, Isenovic ER
Curr Med Chem 2019;26(16):2948-2961. doi: 10.2174/0929867325666180313105949. PMID: 29532755
Langan RC, Goodbred AJ
Am Fam Physician 2017 Sep 15;96(6):384-389. PMID: 28925645
van Amsterdam J, Nabben T, van den Brink W
Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2015 Dec;73(3):790-6. Epub 2015 Oct 22 doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.10.017. PMID: 26496821

Diagnosis

Socha DS, DeSouza SI, Flagg A, Sekeres M, Rogers HJ
Cleve Clin J Med 2020 Mar;87(3):153-164. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19072. PMID: 32127439
Gnanaraj J, Parnes A, Francis CW, Go RS, Takemoto CM, Hashmi SK
Blood Rev 2018 Sep;32(5):361-367. Epub 2018 Mar 5 doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2018.03.001. PMID: 29555368
Langan RC, Goodbred AJ
Am Fam Physician 2017 Sep 15;96(6):384-389. PMID: 28925645
Green R, Datta Mitra A
Med Clin North Am 2017 Mar;101(2):297-317. Epub 2016 Dec 14 doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2016.09.013. PMID: 28189172
Sifakis S, Pharmakides G
Ann N Y Acad Sci 2000;900:125-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb06223.x. PMID: 10818399

Therapy

Torrez M, Chabot-Richards D, Babu D, Lockhart E, Foucar K
Int J Lab Hematol 2022 Apr;44(2):236-247. Epub 2022 Jan 3 doi: 10.1111/ijlh.13789. PMID: 34981651
Socha DS, DeSouza SI, Flagg A, Sekeres M, Rogers HJ
Cleve Clin J Med 2020 Mar;87(3):153-164. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19072. PMID: 32127439
Langan RC, Goodbred AJ
Am Fam Physician 2017 Sep 15;96(6):384-389. PMID: 28925645
van Amsterdam J, Nabben T, van den Brink W
Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2015 Dec;73(3):790-6. Epub 2015 Oct 22 doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.10.017. PMID: 26496821
Kaferle J, Strzoda CE
Am Fam Physician 2009 Feb 1;79(3):203-8. PMID: 19202968

Prognosis

Green R, Miller JW
Vitam Horm 2022;119:405-439. Epub 2022 Mar 11 doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.02.003. PMID: 35337628
Astuti D, Sabir A, Fulton P, Zatyka M, Williams D, Hardy C, Milan G, Favaretto F, Yu-Wai-Man P, Rohayem J, López de Heredia M, Hershey T, Tranebjaerg L, Chen JH, Chaussenot A, Nunes V, Marshall B, McAfferty S, Tillmann V, Maffei P, Paquis-Flucklinger V, Geberhiwot T, Mlynarski W, Parkinson K, Picard V, Bueno GE, Dias R, Arnold A, Richens C, Paisey R, Urano F, Semple R, Sinnott R, Barrett TG
Hum Mutat 2017 Jul;38(7):764-777. Epub 2017 Jun 1 doi: 10.1002/humu.23233. PMID: 28432734Free PMC Article
Kaferle J, Strzoda CE
Am Fam Physician 2009 Feb 1;79(3):203-8. PMID: 19202968
Zucker S
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Clinical prediction guides

Green R, Miller JW
Vitam Horm 2022;119:405-439. Epub 2022 Mar 11 doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2022.02.003. PMID: 35337628
Del Bo' C, Riso P, Gardana C, Brusamolino A, Battezzati A, Ciappellano S
Clin Nutr 2019 Apr;38(2):575-583. Epub 2018 Feb 15 doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.02.008. PMID: 29499976
Astuti D, Sabir A, Fulton P, Zatyka M, Williams D, Hardy C, Milan G, Favaretto F, Yu-Wai-Man P, Rohayem J, López de Heredia M, Hershey T, Tranebjaerg L, Chen JH, Chaussenot A, Nunes V, Marshall B, McAfferty S, Tillmann V, Maffei P, Paquis-Flucklinger V, Geberhiwot T, Mlynarski W, Parkinson K, Picard V, Bueno GE, Dias R, Arnold A, Richens C, Paisey R, Urano F, Semple R, Sinnott R, Barrett TG
Hum Mutat 2017 Jul;38(7):764-777. Epub 2017 Jun 1 doi: 10.1002/humu.23233. PMID: 28432734Free PMC Article
Kaferle J, Strzoda CE
Am Fam Physician 2009 Feb 1;79(3):203-8. PMID: 19202968
Spivak JL
Arch Intern Med 1982 Nov;142(12):2111-4. PMID: 7138159

Recent systematic reviews

Kurowska K, Kobylińska M, Antosik K
Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig 2023;74(2):131-141. doi: 10.32394/rpzh.2023.0252. PMID: 37309846
Oulkadi S, Peters B, Vliegen AS
J Thromb Thrombolysis 2022 Nov;54(4):686-695. Epub 2022 Jun 27 doi: 10.1007/s11239-022-02673-x. PMID: 35759070
Rogers LM, Cordero AM, Pfeiffer CM, Hausman DB, Tsang BL, De-Regil LM, Rosenthal J, Razzaghi H, Wong EC, Weakland AP, Bailey LB
Ann N Y Acad Sci 2018 Nov;1431(1):35-57. Epub 2018 Sep 21 doi: 10.1111/nyas.13963. PMID: 30239016Free PMC Article

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