Anemia resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: ; Chetan Lokhande, M.B.B.S [2]

Definition

Anemia is defined as a decrease in oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood . It is measured in unit volume concentrations of hemoglobin(Hb), red blood cell volume(MCV), red blood cell number(RBC count).

Causes

Life Threatening Causes

• Aplastic crisis
• Sickle cell crisis
• Severe Hemorrhage

Most Common Causes

Inadequate production

1. Iron deficiency anemia
2. Thalassemia
3. Megaloblastic anemia (Vit B12, Folate)
4. Hypothyroid
5. Chronic renal disease
6. Bone marrow suppression
7. Pregnancy

Hemolysis

1. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
2. Hemoglobinopathies
3. RBC membrane defect
4. Splenic sequestration

References

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