SEC S20W3 || Morphological Anemias - Module 3

Morphological anemia is defined as a decline or lack in the productivity of morphologically normal red blood cells which in turn leads to anemia. This is a condition which may affect ability of bone marrow for producing healthy red blood cells so it results in abnormal shape, size or structure of cell

Characteristics

• Abnormalities in red blood cell morphology
• Reduction in red blood cell count
• Decline in hemoglobin levels
• Lack of oxygen delivery to tissues

Causes

• Bone marrow diseases.
• Nutrition lack in body.(e.g., iron, vitamin B12)
• Chronic disorders(e.g., kidney disease, cancer)
• Disorders of genetics.

Symptoms

• Lethargy.
• Body weakness.
• Difficulty in breath
• Yellowish skin

Source

No, Actually I always take care of good diet for staying fit physically that's why I always focus on taking proteins and fresh juices in my diet that's why I never had any complaint of anaemia or any blood related disorder in my past or present. In fact, around 4 months ago my Hb was 16 g/dl.

When there's anemia then it means it's a decrease in productivity or increase in destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) which is a leading cause of in sufficient oxygen delivery to tissues.

Here are some key pathophysiological anemia events

• Reduction of RBC productivity or enhanced destruction of cells.
• Lack of hemoglobin formation.
• Inadequate oxygen bind and transportation.
• Oxygen deficiency in tissues.
• Enhanced erythropoietin productivity which stimulates production of red blood cells.
• Inititatition of other mechanisms like more heart rate, cardiac output, and ventilation.

Consequences

• Distortion cellular respiration
• Lack in energy productivity.
• Lethargy, weakness, and shortening in breath
• Yellowish skin, jaundice and little skin alternations.

Types

• Iron deficiency anemia
• Vitamin deficiency anemia (B12, folate)
• Chronic anemia.
• Hemolytic anemia

Morphologically anemia may be classified as follows;

• Microcytic anemia and Hypochromic Anemia

Reasoning

• Low Hemoglobin is 9 g/dl and it's normal range is 12-15 g/dl.
• Low Mean Corpuscular Volume is 71 fl but normal range is 80-100 fL
• Low Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin is 24 pg and normal range is 27-31 pg.
• Low Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration Mean is 27 g/L and it's normal range is 32-36 g/L.

These are some consequences which are indication of small called microcytic and yellowish called hypochromic red blood cells.

Source

Clinical Case

The patient is most likely a woman who is of child bearing age which is presenting with;

• Severe anemia (Hb 9 g/dl)
• Microcytic, hypochromic anemia which most probably is iron deficiency anemia
• Positive human chorionic gonadotropin test which is an indicator of pregnancy

Possiblity of clinical scenario

• Iron deficiency anemia because of pregnancy.
• Hemorrhage (Postpartum)or other obstetric related complexity.
• Sudden frequent loss of blood or nutrition lack.

Doctor is requesting for proper hematology and HCG test which is suggesting suspicion of pregnancy complexities or anemia.

• More evaluation of pregnancy status and other complexities.
• Supplementation of iron or blood transfusion according to requirement.
• Investigations of causes of anemia like nutritional deficiencies and chronic bleeding etc.

I understand the topic and according to my understanding it was a hypothetical scenario explained by me!

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