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Pathology- Iron deficiency anemia
Definition: A decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration resulting from insufficient iron availability.
Epidemiology The predominant etiology of anemia. Etiology Chronic gastrointestinal blood loss is the predominant etiology. • Globally, this is typically associated with hookworm infection. • Frequent causes in affluent nations encompass peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, sigmoid diverticular disease, and colorectal carcinoma. Excessive menstrual bleeding in women may result in iron deficiency. Gastrointestinal disorders that lead to iron malabsorption can result in iron deficiency, such as celiac disease. 1 Excluding a gastrointestinal tract malignancy is essential in any adult patient presenting with unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Pathogenesis Iron is a vital component of the heme group in hemoglobin. Chronic iron deficiency disrupts the final stage in heme production.
Presentation • May be asymptomatic and identified with routine complete blood count. • Symptoms encompass fatigue and dyspnea during activity. • Certain cases may present with additional manifestations such as koilonychia, angular cheilitis, and glossitis. Complete blood count • reduced Hemoglobin. • reduced Mean corpuscular volume (MCV). • Decreased serum ferritin, decreased serum iron, decreased transferrin saturation, increased total iron binding capacity (TIBC).
Peripheral blood smear • Microcytic red blood cells. • Hypochromic pale red cells. • Heterogeneity in erythrocyte dimensions (anisocytosis) and morphology (poikilocytosis). • Elongated elliptical red blood cells, commonly referred to as 'pencil cells,' are frequently observed.
Bone marrow
Mild to moderate erythroid hyperplasia. • Lack of detectable iron
Definition: A decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration resulting from insufficient iron availability.
Epidemiology The predominant etiology of anemia. Etiology Chronic gastrointestinal blood loss is the predominant etiology. • Globally, this is typically associated with hookworm infection. • Frequent causes in affluent nations encompass peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, sigmoid diverticular disease, and colorectal carcinoma. Excessive menstrual bleeding in women may result in iron deficiency. Gastrointestinal disorders that lead to iron malabsorption can result in iron deficiency, such as celiac disease. 1 Excluding a gastrointestinal tract malignancy is essential in any adult patient presenting with unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Pathogenesis Iron is a vital component of the heme group in hemoglobin. Chronic iron deficiency disrupts the final stage in heme production.
Presentation • May be asymptomatic and identified with routine complete blood count. • Symptoms encompass fatigue and dyspnea during activity. • Certain cases may present with additional manifestations such as koilonychia, angular cheilitis, and glossitis. Complete blood count • reduced Hemoglobin. • reduced Mean corpuscular volume (MCV). • Decreased serum ferritin, decreased serum iron, decreased transferrin saturation, increased total iron binding capacity (TIBC).
Peripheral blood smear • Microcytic red blood cells. • Hypochromic pale red cells. • Heterogeneity in erythrocyte dimensions (anisocytosis) and morphology (poikilocytosis). • Elongated elliptical red blood cells, commonly referred to as 'pencil cells,' are frequently observed.
Bone marrow
Mild to moderate erythroid hyperplasia. • Lack of detectable iron
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