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Abstract
Background: Macrocytic anemia is often linked with vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, which results in the inhibition of erythropoiesis and the abnormal development of red blood cells. Correction of these deficiencies and enhancement of hematological outcomes require nutritional interventions.
Objective: To determine the effect of supplementation of vitamin B 12 and folate on the treatment of macrocytic anemia.
Methods: The cross-sectional research was carried out in Ward VI Unit II of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) in a period of six months. An initial sample of 323 patients aged between 18 and 65 years who had laboratory-confirmed macrocytic anemia was selected using constant sampling. Baseline demographic, clinical, and hematological data (hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), serum vitamin B12, folate levels, and the number of reticulocytes), were taken. The SPSS version 25 was used as the analyzer of the data; paired t-tests were used; p<0.05 was regarded as significant.
Results: The average age was 41.2 ± 12.6 years and 55.1% were of the male gender. Large gains were achieved following supplementation. Mean hemoglobin went up to 8.9 ± 1.4 g/dL to 11.8 ± 1.2 g/dL, and MCV decreased to 108.5 ± 6.2 fL to 94.3 ± 4.8 fL (p<0.001). The level of serum vitamin B12 and folate were highly elevated and reticulocyte count was elevated (p<0.001). The highest complete response rate (78.7%) was with combined supplementation.
Conclusion: B12 and folate supplementation have a significant effect on the blood parameters of macrocytic anemia, and the combined treatment proves more effective.