Hypochromic anemia
Encyclopedia
Hypochromic anemia is a generic term for any type of anemia
in which the red blood cells (erythrocytes) are paler than normal. (Hypo- refers to less, and chromic means colour.) A normal red blood cell will have an area of pallor in the center of it; in hypochromic cells, this area of central pallor is increased. This decrease in redness is due to a disproportionate reduction of red cell hemoglobin
(the pigment that imparts the red color) in proportion to the volume of the cell. In many cases, the red blood cells will also be small (microcytic), leading to substantial overlap with the category of microcytic anemia
. The most common causes of this kind of anemia are iron deficiency and thalassemia.
The disease was formerly known as green sickness, or chlorosis, on account of the greenish pallour sometimes seen in the skin of sufferers.
s (e.g. hookworms) or other disease
s, therapeutic drug
s, and lead poisoning
. One acquired form of anemia is also known as Faber's syndrome. It may also occur from severe stomach or intestinal bleeding caused by ulcers
or bleeding because of piles/constipation or medications such as aspirin
.
s, like Benjamin syndrome
. It is also caused by thalassemia
.
Anemia
Anemia is a decrease in number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin...
in which the red blood cells (erythrocytes) are paler than normal. (Hypo- refers to less, and chromic means colour.) A normal red blood cell will have an area of pallor in the center of it; in hypochromic cells, this area of central pallor is increased. This decrease in redness is due to a disproportionate reduction of red cell hemoglobin
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is the iron-containing oxygen-transport metalloprotein in the red blood cells of all vertebrates, with the exception of the fish family Channichthyidae, as well as the tissues of some invertebrates...
(the pigment that imparts the red color) in proportion to the volume of the cell. In many cases, the red blood cells will also be small (microcytic), leading to substantial overlap with the category of microcytic anemia
Microcytic anemia
Microcytic anemia is a generic term for any type of anemia characterized by small red blood cells. The normal mean corpuscular volume is 76-100 fL, with smaller cells as macrocytic....
. The most common causes of this kind of anemia are iron deficiency and thalassemia.
The disease was formerly known as green sickness, or chlorosis, on account of the greenish pallour sometimes seen in the skin of sufferers.
Acquired forms
Hypochromic anemia may be caused by vitamin B6 deficiency from a low iron intake, diminished iron absorption, or excessive iron loss. It can also be caused by infectionInfection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
s (e.g. hookworms) or other disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
s, therapeutic drug
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
s, and lead poisoning
Lead poisoning
Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by increased levels of the heavy metal lead in the body. Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems...
. One acquired form of anemia is also known as Faber's syndrome. It may also occur from severe stomach or intestinal bleeding caused by ulcers
Peptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. It is defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm...
or bleeding because of piles/constipation or medications such as aspirin
Aspirin
Aspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It was discovered by Arthur Eichengrun, a chemist with the German company Bayer...
.
Hereditary forms
It can also occur in certain forms of congenital developmental disorderDevelopmental disorder
Developmental disorders occur at some stage in a child's development, often retarding the development. These may include,psychological or physical disorders. The disorder is an impairment in the normal development of motor or cognitive skills that are developed before age 18 in which they are...
s, like Benjamin syndrome
Benjamin syndrome
Benjamin Syndrome is a type of multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation syndrome. It is characterized by hypochromic anemia with mental deficiency and various craniofacial and other anomalies. It can also include heart murmur, dental caries and splenic tumors.It was first described in the...
. It is also caused by thalassemia
Thalassemia
Thalassemia is an inherited autosomal recessive blood disease that originated in the Mediterranean region. In thalassemia the genetic defect, which could be either mutation or deletion, results in reduced rate of synthesis or no synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin...
.
See also
- Microcytic anemiaMicrocytic anemiaMicrocytic anemia is a generic term for any type of anemia characterized by small red blood cells. The normal mean corpuscular volume is 76-100 fL, with smaller cells as macrocytic....
- Iron deficiency anemiaIron deficiency anemiaIron-deficiency anemia is a common anemia that occurs when iron loss occurs, and/or the dietary intake or absorption of iron is insufficient...
- List of circulatory system conditions
- List of hematologic conditions