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Peripheral blood film (microscopic view) showing a mixed picture of macrocytosis (blue arrow) and microcytosis (black arrow)
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Vitamin B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin that mediates multiple coenzymes needed for cell synthesis, mainly the red blood cells. Its deficiency is characterized by megaloblastic anemia and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Macrocytosis is the classical picture seen usually, but having microcytosis is unlikely. We report a case series of three cou...
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Context 1
... laboratory tests were significant for microcytic hypochromic anemia ( Table 1). Peripheral blood smear showed a mixed picture of microcytic and macrocytic RBC morphology (Figure 1). Computed tomography scans of the brain and abdominal ultrasound were performed, and they were unremarkable. ...
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Citations
... MCV may not be a reliable biomarker of malaria severity in children as it can be influenced by factors such as age, gender, and nutritional status, which can vary among different populations [54]. Most children in these five studies have MCV values below 80 fl, indicating microcytosis, which may be due to nutritional deficiency [55]. ...
Objective: This study aimed to illustrate the effect of malaria infection on red blood cell parameters in children and evaluate the diagnostic relevance of haematological parameters in predicting malaria. Methods: The studies were identified through databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus to retrieve related articles. Fourteen studies were selected by literature search based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a meta-analysis on different red blood cell parameters was performed. Results: Haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, and RBC count show statistically significant findings with p values of (<0.00001), (p<0.00001) and (p=0.0004), respectively. Other parameters like MCV, MCH, and MCHC show statistically non-significant results with p values of 0.21, 0.36, and 0.63, respectively. Conclusion: Considering the above findings, the combination of haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, and RBC counts could be used as reliable parameters to predict the presence of infection and included in the diagnostic strategy for malaria in children.
... Our findings are in line with the literature survey which concludes that if certain anemias occur concurrently, the clinical presentation of one of the anemia would be masked 28 . Similarly, research conducted in India on the IDA population of reproductive-age women with Vit B12 deficiency anemia showed marked microcytic cells 29,30 . Vit B12 deficiency anemia can be masked by concomitant IDA, showing the absence of macrocytosis in the blood smear. ...
Objective: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent hematological disorder in women of child-bearing age. IDA poses a threat to feto-maternal wellbeing. It is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy. IDA in young females can coexist with other nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12 (Vit B12). An undetected Vit B12 deficiency carries a greater likelihood of development of maternal neuropsychiatric disorders and neural tube defects in the fetus. Materials and methods: Venous blood samples of non-pregnant female population (N=133) from Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi were collected and analyzed for complete blood count (CBC), Vit B12 and serum Ferritin. Population was further subdivided into two groups. Group A, included females with low serum Ferritin and low MCV, group B restricted to normal serum Ferritin and low MCV, whereas control group had females with normal serum Ferritin and MCV levels. Results: Demographic data suggested that only height was slightly lower in IDA patients other than reduced serum Ferritin levels. Group A also showed reduced levels of Vit B12 as compared to group B and control group. CBC analysis indicated marked reduction in all hematological parameters except platelet count in group A. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IDA and Vit B12 deficiency may coexist in young females. Monitoring Vit B12 along with iron deficiency parameters is essential to treat anemia and prevent gynecological complications. Paucity of information on their coexistence in females of childbearing age require further investigation. Keywords: Vitamin B12, Iron deficiency anemia, Microcytosis, Serum Ferritin.
