Folate Deficiency in Acute Tropical Sprue

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Abstract
The results of haematologlcal investigation of 40 patients with acute tropical sprue are described. The degree of anemia varied, being mild in men and more severe in women. Every marrow showed evidence of megalo-blastic change. In it there was mild megaloblastic change and in half frank magaloblastic change. The level of serum folate activity was reduced in every patient to a level consistent with megaloblastic anemia. There was a full haematological response in most patients to very small doses of folic acid. The megaloblastic anamia was thought to be due to folate deficiency. Every patient had malabsorption of vitamin B12, and this was reflected in reduced serum levels of this vitamin. At this early stage in the disease, however, the megaloblastic change was not thought to be due to this deficiency.