Megaloblastic Anemia Associated with Small Bowel Resection in an Adult Patient

Abstract

Megaloblastic anemia is characterized by macro-ovalocytosis, cytopenias, and nucleocytoplasmic maturation asynchrony of marrow erythroblast. The development of megaloblastic anemia is usually insidious in onset, and symptoms are present only in severely anemic patients. We managed a 57-year-old male who presented at the Hematology clinic on account of recurrent anemia associated with paraesthesia involving the lower limbs, 4-years-post small bowel resection. Peripheral blood film and bone marrow cytology revealed megaloblastic changes. The anemia and paraesthesia resolved with parenteral cyanocobalamin.

Keywords: Bowel resection, megaloblastic anemia, neuropathy, paraesthesia