Red Cell Distribution Width With Clinical Significance of B12 Deficiency Anaemia: A Mini Case Report

Abstract

The occurrence of megaloblasts in the bone marrow characterizes megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is the result of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in many cases. It is either caused due to nutritional deficiency of folates or due to its malabsorption. Usually accompanied by leukopenia or thrombocytopenia, this disease is characterized by megaloblastic bone marrow morphology along with myeloid, erythroid or platelet precursors. In this kind of anemia, the mature erythrocytes have abnormal shapes and are of various sizes. As a result, their Mean Cell Volume (MCV) is much greater than normal and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) is also deviated from normal level. Thus, in routine hematological procedure MCV, RDW needs to be thoroughly investigated, as it may be a useful indicator in diagnosis of suspected megaloblastic anemia with related oral manifestations, secondary to Vitamin B12 malabsorption, which thereby guides the further management.