
macrocytosis
Sign in to saveMacrocytosis is a condition where red blood cells are larger than normal. These enlarged cells, also known as macrocytes, are defined by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) that exceeds the upper reference range established by the laboratory and hematology analyzer (usually >110 fL). Upon examination of a peripheral blood smear under microscope, these macrocytes appear larger than standard erythrocytes. Macrocytosis is a common morphological feature in neonatal peripheral blood. The presence of macrocytosis can indicate a range of conditions, from benign, treatable illnesses to more serious underl
Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Macrocytosis thumb|center|
- Medical condition (new).field
- Hematology
- Medical condition (new).synonyms
- Macrocytes
- Medical condition (new).symptoms
- Shortness of breath, weakness, heart murmur, tachycardia
- Medical condition (new).causes
- Vitamin B12 deficiency, Folic acid deficiency, Malabsorption, Alcoholism
- Medical condition (new).risks
- Bone marrow failure, hematologic malignancy
- Medical condition (new).diagnosis
- Symptoms, Complete blood count, Peripheral blood smear, Vitamin B12 level, Red cell folate level
via Wikipedia infobox
~3 min read
Encyclopedic overview
6 sectionsContents
- Types
- Causes
- Complications
- See also
- References
- External links
Macrocytosis is a condition where red blood cells are larger than normal. These enlarged cells, also known as macrocytes, are defined by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) that exceeds the upper reference range established by the laboratory and hematology analyzer (usually >110 fL). Upon examination of a peripheral blood smear under microscope, these macrocytes appear larger than standard erythrocytes. Macrocytosis is a common morphological feature in neonatal peripheral blood. The presence of macrocytosis can indicate a range of conditions, from benign, treatable illnesses to more serious underlying disorders.
== Types == Macrocytes may be oval or round. Oval macrocytes (also called megalocytes) are seen in conditions associated with dyserythropoiesis including megaloblastic anemia, myelodysplstic syndromes, Fanconi anemia and CDA type I & III. Round macrocytes are associated with other causes of macrocytosis.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “macrocytosis” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.