DL-975: Megaloblastic Anemia, 1 CE

Helen M. Sowers, M.A., CLS - Dept of Biological Science (retired) - California State University, East Bay Approved for 1.0 CE Level of Difficulty: Basic CAMLT is approved by the California Department of Public Health as a CA CLS Accrediting Agency (#21) Megaloblastic anemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders that have common blood abnormalities and symptoms. The characteristic blood picture consists of large oval erythrocytes, hypersegmented neutrophils and large abnormal platelets. Bone marrow RBC precursors show abnormally high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio and abnormal megakaryocytes. Nuclear maturation is delayed while cytoplasmic development is normal. The diseases associated with megaloblastosis are primarily pernicious anemia (associated with vitamin B12 deficiency) and folic acid deficiency. Although the number of megaloblastic anemia cases has decreased in recent years, the incidence remains between 0.25-0.5 cases per 1000 in older individuals.