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Concept
Microcytic anemia
Summary
Microcytic anaemia is any of several types of anemia characterized by smaller than normal red blood cells (called microcytes). The normal mean corpuscular volume (abbreviated to MCV on full blood count results, and also known as mean cell volume) is approximately 80–100 fL. When the MCV is 100 fL, macrocytic (the latter occurs in macrocytic anemia). The MCV is the average red blood cell size.
In microcytic anemia, the red blood cells (erythrocytes) contain less hemoglobin and are usually also hypochromic, meaning that the red blood cells appear paler than usual. This can be reflected by a low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), a measure representing the amount of hemoglobin per unit volume of fluid inside the cell; normally about 320–360 g/L or 32–36 g/dL. Typically, therefore, anemia of this category is described as "microcytic, hypochromic anemia".
Typical causes of microcytic anemia include:
Childhood
Iron deficiency anemia by far the most common cause of anemia in general and of microcytic anemia in particular
Thalassemia
Adulthood
Iron deficiency anemia
Thalassemia
Anemia of chronic disease
Rare hereditary causes of microcytic anemia include sideroblastic anemia and other X-linked anemias, hereditary hypotransferrinemia, hereditary aceruloplasminemia, erythropoietic protoporphyria, iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia, and other thalassemic mutations (such as hemoglobin E and hemoglobin Lepore syndrome).
Rare acquired causes of microcytic anemia include lead poisoning, zinc deficiency, copper deficiency, alcohol, and certain medications.
Other causes that are typically thought of as causing normocytic anemia or macrocytic anemia must also be considered, as the presence of two or more causes of anemia can distort the typical picture.
Iron-deficiency anemia
Nearly half of all anemia cases are due to iron deficiency as it is the most common nutritional disorder. Although it is a common nutritional disorder, most causes of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) are due to blood loss.
Official source
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