Dietary folate deficiency anemia

This code represents an anemia caused specifically by insufficient dietary intake of folate (folic acid). It signifies a megaloblastic anemia where red blood cells are abnormally large and immature, resulting from inadequate folate necessary for DNA synthesis.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates anemia due to a nutritional deficiency of folate, often seen in cases of malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, or malabsorption syndromes. Supporting documentation should include laboratory findings confirming low serum folate levels and evidence of megaloblastic anemia.

• Differentiate from other types of megaloblastic anemia, such as B12 deficiency (D51.x).
• Ensure documentation specifies "dietary" or "nutritional" folate deficiency to support this specific code.
• Code any underlying conditions contributing to the dietary deficiency, such as alcoholism or malabsorption, as additional diagnoses.