What type of red blood cells are seen in a patient with folate-deficiency anemia?

In folate-deficiency anemia, the type of red blood cells produced is characterized by being macrocytic and normocytic. This means that the red blood cells are larger than normal (macrocytic) but maintain a normal color (normocytic), indicating adequate hemoglobin levels within the cells. The underlying cause of this cellular morphology is that folate is crucial for DNA synthesis, particularly in the production and maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. When there is a deficiency of folate, the development of red blood cells is disrupted, leading to the production of fewer but larger cells as they cannot divide properly due to impaired DNA synthesis.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the red blood cell characteristics of folate-deficiency anemia. Microcytic and hypochromic or microcytic and normochromic cells are typically seen in conditions such as iron deficiency anemia, where the production of smaller and paler cells occurs due to insufficient iron available for hemoglobin synthesis. Normal-sized and colored red blood cells suggest proper production and maturation, which is not the case in folate deficiency where malabsorption or inadequate intake leads to the abnormal cell size. Thus, the correct description of red blood cells in folate