ANEMIA
What is anemia?
Anemia is a condition characterized by a decreased number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, or hematocrit, resulting in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
What is the most common cause of anemia worldwide?
Iron deficiency anemia
What is sideroblastic anemia?
A group of anemias characterized by defective heme synthesis resulting in iron accumulation in mitochondria of erythroid precursors.
What is megaloblastic anemia?
A macrocytic anemia caused by impaired DNA synthesis, leading to delayed nuclear maturation relative to cytoplasmic development.
What is hemolytic anemia?
Anemia caused by increased destruction of red blood cells.
What is the normal hemoglobin range for adults?
Adult males: 13.5–17.5 g/dL
Adult females: 12.0–15.5 g/dL
What lab findings are seen in iron deficiency anemia?
Low hemoglobin, low MCV, low ferritin, high TIBC, increased RDW.
Is sideroblastic anemia typically microcytic or macrocytic?
Usually microcytic, but it can be normocytic or macrocytic, depending on the cause.
What are the two most common causes of megaloblastic anemia?
Vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency.
Name one intrinsic cause of hemolytic anemia.
Sickle cell disease
What are common symptoms of anemia?
Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, dizziness, tachycardia, and headache.
What causes vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?
Pernicious anemia, malabsorption, gastric surgery, or inadequate dietary intake.
What bone marrow finding is diagnostic of sideroblastic anemia?
Ring sideroblasts on Prussian blue stain.
What populations are at highest risk for folate deficiency?
Alcoholics, pregnant women, patients with malabsorption.
Why is ferritin low in iron deficiency anemia?
Ferritin reflects iron stores, which are depleted in iron deficiency.
What lab value is most commonly used to diagnose anemia?
Hemoglobin concentration
What is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in children?
Inadequate dietary iron intake
Why is basophilic stippling seen in sideroblastic anemia?
Due to impaired heme synthesis and defective RNA degradation.
Why does megaloblastic anemia cause pancytopenia?
All rapidly dividing cells are affected due to impaired DNA replication.
A patient has microcytic anemia with high serum iron and basophilic stippling. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Sideroblastic anemia
How is anemia classified based on MCV?
Microcytic: MCV < 80 fL
Normocytic: MCV 80–100 fL
Macrocytic: MCV > 100 fL
How does serum ferritin change in iron deficiency anemia?
Decreased
How does sideroblastic anemia differ from iron deficiency anemia in iron studies?
Sideroblastic: ↑ iron, ↑ ferritin
Iron deficiency: ↓ iron, ↓ ferritin
What are typical CBC findings in megaloblastic anemia?
Low hemoglobin, elevated MCV (>100 fL), low RBC count, possible leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.
What is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency?
Pernicious anemia.