Anemia: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
A mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of less than 80 cubic microns is a manifestation of which of the following diagnoses?
A. Iron deficiency anemia
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency
C. Folate deficiency
D. Hemolytic anemia
E. Anemia of chronic disease
Answer and topic summary
The answer is A. Iron deficiency anemia
An MCV of less than 80 cubic microns indicates microcytic anemia, where red blood cells are smaller than normal. The most common cause of microcytic anemia is iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency leads to inadequate hemoglobin synthesis, resulting in smaller red blood cells. This can be due to various factors, including chronic blood loss, poor dietary intake, or malabsorption.
Explanation for Incorrect Answers:
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency: Vitamin B12 deficiency typically leads to macrocytic anemia, where the MCV is greater than 100 cubic microns. The red blood cells are larger than normal due to impaired DNA synthesis.
C. Folate deficiency: Like vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency also causes macrocytic anemia with an increased MCV.
D. Hemolytic anemia: Hemolytic anemia can present with a normocytic anemia (normal MCV) or sometimes macrocytic anemia, but it is not typically associated with a low MCV.
E. Anemia of chronic disease: Anemia of chronic disease can present with a normocytic or microcytic anemia. However, the most common cause of microcytic anemia is iron deficiency anemia, making it the most likely diagnosis in a patient with an MCV of less than 80 cubic microns.
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Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Hematology ⇒ ⇒ ⇒
