Anemia

Blood film in iron deficiency anemia. (WC)

Anemia is an abnormally low hemoglobin.

There is a long list of causes for anemia. Usually, anemia is grouped by RBC cell size, mean corpuscular volume (MCV).

Classifications

Anemia

Macrocytic anemia (MCV>100 fl)

Normocytic anemia (MCV 80–100 fl)

Microcytic anemia (MCV<80 fl)

Microcytic anemia

Mnemonic TAILS:

• Thalassemia.
• Anemia of chronic diesease.
• Iron deficiency anemia.
• Lead toxicity.
• Sideroblastic anemia.

Macrocytic anemia

Mnemonic Few Big RBCs May Lead To Palor:

• Folate deficiency.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Rx.
• Myelodysplastic syndromes.
• Liver disease (cirrhosis).
• Thyroid disease (hypothyroidism).
• Post-splenectomy.

Normocytic anemia

One DDx of normocytic anemia:

• Acute blood loss.
• Hypersplenism.
• Hemolytic disorders.
  • Congenital conditions.
  • Hemoglobinopathies, e.g. sickle cell disease.

A cute mnemonic ABBRA:

• Anemia of chronic disease.
• Bone marrow infiltration.
• Bone marrow failure.
• Renal failure.
• Acute hemorrhage.

Specific types of anemia

Pernicious anemia

Main article: Pernicious anemia

Sickle cell anemia

Main article: Sickle cell anemia