(Peri-Op & Anaesthesia) (GI) (GP)

Overview

• A decrease in the quantity of circulating RBCs
• Microcytic (MCV <80) ⇒ insufficient haemoglobin production
• Normocytic (MCV 80-100) ⇒ decreased blood volume or decreased erythropoiesis
• Macrocytic (MCV >100) ⇒ defective DNA synthesis or repair

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

• Pallor
• Dyspnoea on exertion
• Fatigue
• Tachycardia
• Glossitis (inflammation of tongue) & Angular Stomatitis (red patches in corner of mouth where lips meet) ****→ iron deficiency anaemia
• Koilonychia (spoon shaped nails) → iron deficiency anaemia
• Pica → eating disorder