A case of concomitant iron and folate deficiency in a 26-year-old female with beta thalassemia minor.

Abstract

We are reporting a known case of a 26-year-old lady with beta thalassemia minor (also called as beta thalassemia trait) who developed severe anemia due to co-existing iron and folate deficiency. The patient showed hypochromic microcytic anemia with markedly reduced mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), along with biochemical features of iron depletion and folate deficiency. The baseline laboratory evaluations showed low values of Hb, serum iron, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation, along with increased TIBC. The patient was treated with intravenous ferrous sulfate (200 mg per week for 4 weeks), oral ferrous sulfate (14 mg/day for 10 weeks), oral folic acid (5 mg daily for 10 weeks), and intramuscular methycobalamine (500 mcg for 7 doses on alternate days). By the end of the 10^th week patient showed a significant improvement in haematological and biochemical parameters. This case highlights the need for screening and treating the nutritional deficiencies in patients with beta thalassemia minor to prevent the worsening of anemia.