Macrocytic anemia classification

Megaloblastic anemia is an anemia (of macrocytic classification) which results from inhibition of DNA synthesis in red blood cell production. It is often due to deficiency of vitamin B12 and/or folic acid. It can be the result of a lack of intrinsic factor (which lack interferes with B12 absorption), causing pernicious anemia, or with other antimetabolites which poison DNA production, such as chemotherapeutic agents. It is characterized by many large immature and dysfunctional red blood cells (megaloblasts) in the bone marrow, and also by hypersegmented or multisegmented neutrophils. ^[1] ^[2]

↑ Babior BM, Bunn HF, Megaloblastic Anemias. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 13th Ed. 1994: 1726-1732. ISBN 0070323704
↑ Toh BH, van Driel IR, Gleeson PA. Mechanisms of Disease: Pernicious Anemia. NEJM 1997;337:1441.

[1] Babior BM, Bunn HF, Megaloblastic Anemias. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 13th Ed. 1994: 1726-1732. ISBN 0070323704

[2] Toh BH, van Driel IR, Gleeson PA. Mechanisms of Disease: Pernicious Anemia. NEJM 1997;337:1441.

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Macrocytic anemia classification

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