5B5E

ICD-11 MMS 2026-01

Folate deficiency

Description

Nutritional deficiency of folate is common in people consuming a limited diet. This can be exacerbated by malabsorption conditions, including coeliac disease and tropical sprue. Pregnant women are at risk for folate deficiency because pregnancy significantly increases the folate requirement, especially during periods of rapid fetal growth (i.e. in the second and third trimester). During lactation, losses of folate in milk also increase the folate requirement. During pregnancy, there is an increased risk of fetal neural tube defects (NTDs), with risk increasing 10-fold as folate status goes from adequate to poor. Between days 21 and 27 post-conception, the neural plate closes to form what will eventually be the spinal cord and cranium. Spina bifida, anencephaly, and other similar conditions are collectively called NTDs. They result from improper closure of the spinal cord and cranium, respectively, and are the most common congenital abnormalities associated with folate deficiency.

Index terms

  • Folate deficiency
  • folic acid deficiency
  • Peripheral neuropathy due to folate deficiency
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  • Dementia due to folate deficiency
  • Myelopathy due to folate deficiency
  • Optic neuropathy due to folate deficiency
  • Encephalopathy due to folate deficiency

Exclusions from above levels

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  • NF07.0 – starvation
  • 18 – Pregnancy, childbirth or the puerperium
  • http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1004987305 – Transitory endocrine or metabolic disorders specific to fetus or newborn

Sibling codes

  • 5B50 – Underweight in infants, children or adolescents
  • 5B51 – Wasting in infants, children or adolescents
  • 5B52 – Acute malnutrition in infants, children or adolescents
  • 5B53 – Stunting in infants, children or adolescents
  • 5B54 – Underweight in adults
  • 5B55 – Vitamin A deficiency
  • 5B56 – Vitamin C deficiency
  • 5B57 – Vitamin D deficiency
  • 5B58 – Vitamin E deficiency
  • 5B59 – Vitamin K deficiency
  • 5B5A – Vitamin B1 deficiency
  • 5B5B – Vitamin B2 deficiency
  • 5B5C – Vitamin B3 deficiency
  • 5B5D – Vitamin B6 deficiency
  • 5B5F – Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • 5B5G – Biotin deficiency
  • 5B5H – Pantothenic acid deficiency
  • 5B5J – Choline deficiency
  • 5B5K – Mineral deficiencies
  • 5B70 – Essential fatty acid deficiency
  • 5B71 – Protein deficiency
  • 5B7Y – Other specified undernutrition
  • 5B7Z – Unspecified undernutrition

Foundation entity

Folate deficiency – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/439233336

Allowed postcoordination axes

Part of: 05: Endocrine, nutritional or metabolic diseases