Polychromasia

Polychromasia is a medical term that refers to the presence of large, immature, nucleated red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood. These cells are also known as reticulocytes. Polychromasia is often a sign of active RBC production in the bone marrow.

Causes

Polychromasia is usually a response to anemia, especially hemolytic anemia. It can also be seen in conditions such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. Other causes include blood loss, bone marrow disorders, and certain medications.

Diagnosis

Polychromasia is usually detected during a complete blood count (CBC) with a peripheral smear. The smear is examined under a microscope, and the presence of larger, bluish (polychromatic) RBCs indicates polychromasia.

Treatment

Treatment of polychromasia depends on the underlying cause. If it is due to anemia, treatment may include iron supplements, blood transfusions, or medications to increase red blood cell production. If it is due to a bone marrow disorder, treatment may include chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant.

See also

• Anemia
• Hemolytic anemia
• Thalassemia
• Sickle cell anemia
• Complete blood count

Polychromasia Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski