Microcytic anaemia
Microcytic anaemia - anemia in which the average size of erythrocytes is smaller than normal
Mean cell volume[edit | edit source]
Mean cell volume (MCV), the average volume of red blood cells, is measured in femtoliters (10-15 liters). This value can be calculated as the ratio of Hct to red blood cell count or measured directly using an electronic counter. MCV is highest at birth, decreases during the first 6 months of life, then gradually increases during childhood to adult levels (23,51). A low MCV corresponds with the 5th percentile for age for the reference population in NHANES III.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Some anemias including iron-deficiency anemia, result in microcytic red blood cells; a low MCV thus indicates microcytic anemia (Table_8). If cases of lead poisoning and the anemias of infection, chronic inflammatory disease, and thalassemia minor can be excluded, a low MCV serves as a specific index for iron-deficiency anemia.
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