Which vitamin deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia without neurological symptoms?

Megaloblastic anemia is characterized by the presence of large, immature red blood cells in the bone marrow and is commonly due to deficiencies in certain vitamins, particularly those involved in DNA synthesis. The correct answer, folic acid, plays a crucial role in producing red blood cells and is essential for DNA synthesis. A deficiency in folic acid leads to impaired cell division, resulting in the formation of megaloblasts and ultimately megaloblastic anemia.

A key distinguishing feature of folic acid deficiency, in contrast to vitamin B12 deficiency, is that it typically does not cause neurological symptoms. Vitamin B12 is also involved in DNA synthesis but has the additional role of maintaining the health of nerve cells and red blood cell formation in a way that includes neurological health. Deficiency in B12 can lead not only to megaloblastic anemia but also to neuropathies and other neurological issues due to the effects on myelin formation and nerve function.

While vitamin B6 and vitamin C deficiencies can lead to other types of anemia (like microcytic anemia in the case of B6), they do not specifically cause megaloblastic anemia. Thus, folic acid deficiency is uniquely associated with megaloblastic anemia without the neurological symptoms seen with