Classification of Anemia

Anemia

• Anemia is a deficiency of hemoglobin in the blood, which can be caused by too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin in the cells.

Classification of Anemia

• Anemia can be classified using two methods: morphological classification and etiological classification.

Morphological Classification

• Morphological classification is based on the size and color of red blood cells (RBCs).
• There are four types of anemia classified by morphological classification:
  • Normocytic Normochromic Anemia: RBCs are normal in size and color, but their number is less.
  • Macrocytic Normochromic Anemia: RBCs are larger in size with normal color, but their number is less.
  • Macrocytic Hypochromic Anemia: RBCs are larger in size and less colored.
  • Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia: RBCs are smaller in size and less colored.

Etiological Classification

• Etiological classification is based on the cause or origin of anemia.
• There are five types of anemia classified by etiological classification:
  • Hemorrhagic Anemia
  • Hemolytic Anemia
  • Nutrition Deficiency Anemia
  • Aplastic Anemia
  • Anemia of Chronic Disease

Hemorrhagic Anemia

• Hemorrhagic Anemia occurs due to excessive loss of blood.
• There are two types of hemorrhagic anemia:
  • Acute Hemorrhage: sudden loss of a large quantity of blood, corrected within 4-6 weeks.
  • Chronic Hemorrhage: loss of blood over a long period, often due to conditions like peptic ulcer, purpura, hemophilia, and menorrhagia.

Hemolytic Anemia

• Hemolytic Anemia occurs due to excessive destruction of RBCs.
• There are two types of hemolytic anemia:
  • Intrinsic Hemolytic Anemia: destruction of RBCs due to a defect within the cells themselves, often inherited.
  • Extrinsic Hemolytic Anemia: RBCs are produced healthy but are later destroyed by external factors.

Nutrition Deficiency Anemia

• Nutrition Deficiency Anemia occurs due to a deficiency of a nutritive substance necessary for erythropoiesis.
• The substances necessary for erythropoiesis are iron, protein, vitamin C, B12, and folic acid.

Learn about the different types of anemia, including morphological and etiological classification, and their physiologic causes.