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Anemia – a reduction of the red blood cells in the body.; Leukopenia – a deficiency of white blood cells, or leukocytes [1]; Neutropenia – a type of leukopenia, with a specific deficiency in neutrophils [2]
A strict but broad definition is an absolute decrease in red blood cell mass, [63] however, a broader definition is a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen. [64] An operational definition is a decrease in whole-blood hemoglobin concentration of more than 2 standard deviations below the mean of an age- and sex-matched reference range .
A blood smear showing hypochromic (and microcytic) anemia. Note the increased central pallor of the red blood cells. Hypochromic anemia is a generic term for any type of anemia in which the red blood cells are paler than normal. (Hypo- refers to less, and chromic means colour.) A normal red blood cell has a biconcave disk shape and will have an ...
The normal mean corpuscular volume (abbreviated to MCV on full blood count results, and also known as mean cell volume) is approximately 80–100 fL. When the MCV is <80 fL, the red cells are described as microcytic and when >100 fL, macrocytic (the latter occurs in macrocytic anemia). The MCV is the average red blood cell size.
Neutropenia is an abnormally low concentration of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) in the blood. [4] Neutrophils make up the majority of circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria, bacterial fragments and immunoglobulin-bound viruses in the blood. [5]
The anticonvulsant drug, lamotrigine, has been associated with a decrease in white blood cell count. [2] The FDA monograph for metronidazole states that this medication can also cause leukopenia, and the prescriber information suggests a complete blood count, including differential cell count, before and after, in particular, high-dose therapy. [3]
In a healthy person, a red blood cell survives 90 to 120 days in the circulation, so about 1% of human red blood cells break down each day. [ 38 ] [ unreliable medical source? ] The spleen (part of the reticulo-endothelial system ) is the main organ that removes old and damaged RBCs from the circulation. [ 2 ]
Folate deficiency, also known as vitamin B 9 deficiency, is a low level of folate and derivatives in the body. [1] This may result in megaloblastic anemia in which red blood cells become abnormally large, and folate deficiency anemia is the term given for this medical condition. [3] Signs of folate deficiency are often subtle. [4]