Question
A 37 year multipara construction labourer has a blood picture which is shown below. This blood smear picture is most likely indicative of?
A. Iron deficiency.
B. Folic acid deficiency.
C. Malnutrition.
D. Combined iron and folic acid deficiency.
Show Answer
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Correct Answer » D
Explanation
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The blood smear picture shown above represents Hypochromic Erythrocytes that demonstrate a central pale area that becomes larger and paler as the hemoglobin content diminishes.
Patient with blood picture showing hypochromic anisocytosis is suffering from dimorphic anemia.
Dimorphic anemia result from deficiency of iron along with folic acid/vitamin B12.
It is the most common type of anemia in low socioeconomic status people living in the tropics.
It can result from dietary inadequacy particularly during growing periods and in pregnancy, intestinal malabsorption, postgastrectomy syndrome and dietary inadequacy in association with blood loss.
Clinical features depend on the degree of anemia.
Peripheral smear shows hypochromasia in association with megaloblasts.
