Anemia: Production Defects Generally Associated with a Normal or Largely Normal Bone Marrow

Abstract

This review focuses on anemia resulting from production defects generally associated with a normal or largely normal bone marrow. The definition, epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, management, complications, and prognosis of the following production defects are discussed: Anemia of inflammation (AI; formerly known as anemia of chronic disease), and anemia in kidney disease, as well as anemia secondary to other conditions such as alchohol abuse and starvation. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is discussed elsewhere in this publication. A figure depicts peripheral smear changes in the size and shape of red blood cells seen in starvation. A table lists the differential diagnoses of hypochromic anemias. This review contains 1 figure; 1 table; 79 references