Microcytic Anemia

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

Microcytic anemia is a type of anemia characterized by the presence of red blood cells that are smaller than normal (microcytes) and have reduced hemoglobin content.

This condition is usually caused by issues in hemoglobin synthesis, leading to insufficient red blood cell production or premature destruction. The most common causes of microcytic anemia include iron deficiency, thalassemia, and sideroblastic anemia. Identifying the underlying cause is crucial for proper and effective treatment.

Pathology	Clinical Symptoms and Signs	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmatory Diagnosis
Iron deficiency anemia	Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, pica	History of poor iron intake, chronic bleeding	Complete blood count (CBC), low MCV, iron and ferritin levels, TIBC
Thalassemia	Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, splenomegaly, jaundice	Family history of thalassemia, symptoms from childhood	CBC, hemoglobin electrophoresis, genetic studies
Sideroblastic anemia	Fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness	History of chronic symptoms, toxin exposure	CBC, peripheral blood smear, bone marrow tests, elevated iron levels