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Questions and Answers
What is the primary cause of megaloblastic anemia?
What is the primary cause of megaloblastic anemia?
Which of the following is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia?
Which of the following is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia?
What is the characteristic shape of macrocytes in megaloblastic anemia?
What is the characteristic shape of macrocytes in megaloblastic anemia?
What is the common feature of neutrophils in megaloblastic anemia?
What is the common feature of neutrophils in megaloblastic anemia?
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What is the characteristic of the bone marrow in megaloblastic anemia?
What is the characteristic of the bone marrow in megaloblastic anemia?
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What is the common symptom of megaloblastic anemia due to epithelial abnormality?
What is the common symptom of megaloblastic anemia due to epithelial abnormality?
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What is the common complication of pernicious anemia?
What is the common complication of pernicious anemia?
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What is the characteristic of the reticulocyte count in megaloblastic anemia?
What is the characteristic of the reticulocyte count in megaloblastic anemia?
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Study Notes
Megaloblastic Anemia
- A type of macrocytic anemia resulting from impaired DNA synthesis, caused by:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Folic acid deficiency
- Congenital enzyme defect
- Acquired DNA defect synthesis (e.g., hydroxyurea)
Pernicious Anemia
- Caused by an autoimmune attack on the gastric mucosa, leading to:
- Atrophy of the stomach
- Achlorhydria
- Absent or reduced secretion of Intrinsic Factor (IF)
- More common in females (1.6:1) and peaks at 60 years old
- Often associated with autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome
- Tends to occur in families, especially in northern Europeans
- Increased incidence of stomach carcinoma
- 90% of patients have parietal cell antibody in the serum
- 35% of patients have a second antibody to IF, which inhibits its ileal binding site
Clinical Features of Megaloblastic Anemia
- Mild jaundice (lemon yellow tint) due to excess haemoglobin breakdown
- Glossitis (beefy-red, sore tongue) and angular stomatitis
- Mild symptoms of malabsorption, including weight loss
- Purpura due to thrombocytopenia
Laboratory Findings
- Macrocytic anemia (MCV > 98 fL) with oval-shaped macrocytes
- Low reticulocyte count
- Moderately reduced total white cell and platelet counts
- Neutrophils with hypersegmented nuclei (with six or more lobes)
- Hypercellular bone marrow with large erythroblasts and failure of nuclear maturation
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Description
A type of macrocytic anemia resulting from impaired DNA synthesis, often caused by vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia.
