Which nutrient deficiency is the most common cause of megaloblastic anaemia in pregnancy?

• A Vitamin B12
• B Vitamin B6
• C Iron
• D Folic acid ✓

Explanation

Folate deficiency accounts for the vast majority of megaloblastic anaemia in pregnancy because folate requirements rise several fold with fetal growth and erythropoiesis, while body stores last only a few months. Vitamin D12 deficiency is far less common and typically occurs in strict vegetarians or after gastric or ileal disease. Iron deficiency produces a microcytic picture, not megaloblastic change, and vitamin D6 deficiency causes sideroblastic anaemia rather than megaloblastic marrow morphology.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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