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SummaryTop
Anemia is defined as a decrease in hemoglobin levels (Hb), hematocrit values (Ht), and red blood cell (RBC) count.
Classification based on the severity of anemia:
1) Mild anemia: Hb 10 to 12 g/dL in women and to 13.5 g/dL in men.
2) Moderate anemia: Hb 8 to 9.9 g/dL.
3) Severe anemia: Hb 6.5 to 7.9 g/dL.
4) Life-threatening anemia: Hb <6.5 g/dL.
Causes: Loss of RBCs due to hemorrhage (acute or chronic), hemolysis, sequestration, or impaired erythropoiesis.
Most systemic manifestations are independent of the cause and type of anemia. They include weakness, fatigue, concentration and attention deficits, headache, dizziness/vertigo, tachycardia and dyspnea (in severe anemia), and pallor of the skin and mucous membranes (or jaundice in hemolytic anemia). In severe cases manifestations of systemic hypoxia lead to cardiovascular collapse, acidosis, and death. Patients with chronic anemia may present with minimal symptoms even if the anemia is severe.
RBC parameters (Table 1) may be of use in the initial differentiation of causes of anemia. Note that these parameters provide general guidance and are not a diagnostic tool. Also note that the characteristics of anemia may vary based on ethnogeographic considerations and patient comorbidities.
TablesTop
|
MCV |
RDW |
RC ≥100×109/L |
RC <100×109/L |
|
Microcytic (MCV ↓) |
N |
Beta thalassemia |
Anemia of chronic disease (some cases) |
|
↑ |
Possible beta thalassemia
|
– Iron deficiency anemia – Inherited sideroblastic anemia (some cases) |
|
|
Normocytic (MCV [N]) |
N |
|
– Very early phases of major bleeding – Anemia of chronic disease (most cases) – Anemia in chronic kidney disease – Aplastic anemia – Anemia due to bone marrow infiltration – Anemia of endocrine disorders – Malnutrition |
|
↑ |
– Anemia due to acute blood loss – Most hemolytic anemias |
– Early stage of iron deficiency anemia – Cobalamin or folate deficiency – Mixed-type anemia (eg, combined iron and cobalamin deficiency) – Myelodysplastic syndrome – Sideroblastic anemias (some cases) |
|
|
Macrocytic (MCV ↑) |
N |
Chronic liver disease |
– Chemotherapy and certain medications – Alcohol toxicity – Aplastic anemia – Hypothyroidism (some cases) |
|
↑ |
– Some autoimmune hemolytic anemias (due to reticulocytosis) – Chronic liver disease – Anemia after initiation of effective treatment or during regeneration after chemotherapy |
– Cobalamin or folate deficiency – Myelodysplastic syndrome – Sideroblastic anemia (some cases) |
|
|
↑, increased; ↓, decreased; MCV, mean corpuscular volume; N, normal; RC, reticulocyte count; RDW, red cell distribution width. |
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