Which is the true statement regarding megaloblastic anemia
A. Megaloblastic precursors are present in bone marrowB. Mean corpuscular volume is increased
C. Serum LDH is increased
D. Thrombocytosis occurs
E. Target cells are found
The Answer is . (A) Megaloblastic precursors are present in bone marrow; (B) Mean
corpuscular volume
is increased ; (C) Serum LDH is increased
• Megaloblastic anaemia is due to maturation disorder
of Red cells
• Laboratory Features :MCV- increased (> 110 / L)
MCHC - Not elevated : Normal or reduced
MCH -
elevated
• Bone Marrow shows hypercellularity, erythrocyte
precursors at different stages of development is found. Increased megaloblast
causes ineffective erythropoiesis. In severe anaemia as many as 90% of RBC
precursors may be destroyed before theIr release into the circulation (Normal
10-15%). Thereby increased unconjugated bilirubin and lactic acid dehydrogenase
• Reticulocytes, plateletcount and leukocyte count
decreased
• Cells are macrocytic, hyperchromic, anisocytosis,
hypersegmented neutorphils. BM have decreased myeloid,
erythroid ratio (Normal 3:1)
• Target cells result due to increased ratio of RBC
surface area to volume, seen in hemoglobin disorders,
thalassemias, liver disease
Note: In megaloblastic anemia nuclear maturation lags
behind cytoplasmic maturation
