Diagnosis
Diagnosis of anaemia is a combination of clinical presentation and laboratory
Laboratory tests for anaemia generally include the following:
- Packed cell volume (PCV) estimation: involves spinning your blood in a tube to see how much of it is red blood cells
- Complete blood count (CBC): also called full blood count, this test estimates the levels of individual components of your blood, including white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, reticulocytes, haemoglobin, differential cells, etc.
- Peripheral blood smear: involves using a microscope to examine your blood for its colour, shape, size
- Haemoglobin estimation
- Serum iron estimation
- Serum bilirubin
- Haemoglobin electrophoresis
- Reticulocyte count
- Urinalysis
- Liver function tests
- Renal function test
- Bone marrow biopsy
Treatment
Treatment for anaemia depends on the cause or type of anaemia. Treatments for common forms of anaemia include:
- Iron-deficiency anaemia: iron supplements and dietary changes.
- Vitamin deficiency anaemia: vitamins and dietary supplements.
- Thalassemia: folic acid supplements, iron chelation, and, for some people, blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants.
- Anaemia of chronic disease: treatment of underlying disease.
- Aplastic anaemia: blood transfusion or bone marrow transplant.
- Sickle cell anaemia: oxygen therapy, pain relief medication, and intravenous fluids: antibiotics, folic acid supplements, blood transfusions, and hydroxyurea may be added.
- Haemolytic anaemia: treatment of the underlying cause
Prevention
Prevention can be achieved by enforcing individual/family and government policies.
On individual level
Iron deficiency and vitamin-deficiency anaemia can be prevented by consuming the right diet. Suchnutrient can be gotten from the following sources:
- Iron: from red meat, dark-green leafy vegetables, beans and lentils, dried-fruits and iron-fortified cereals.
- Folate/folic acid: from dark-green leafy vegetables, whole fruits or fruit juices, kidney beans, green peas, peanuts and fortified products such as bread, cereal, pasta, and rice.
- Vitamin B-12: sources include dairy products, meat, soy products and fortified cereal.
- Vitamin C: citrus fruits – whole or juiced, strawberries, peppers, broccoli, melons and tomatoes.
On Governmental level
The three major causes of anaemia (iron deficiency, malaria and helminth infections) can be addressed during contacts with vulnerable groups using a combination of key interventions, as needed.
Five Key Interventions
- Iron supplements targeted to at-risk groups
- Fortification of staple foods with iron and other micronutrients that cause anaemia for the general population
- Supply of iron-fortified foods targeted to at-risk groups
- Prevent and treat malaria
- Use of insecticide-treated materials and bed nets to prevent anaemia
- Deworming (anthelmintics) in at-risk groups
Other important interventions to decrease anaemia:
- Expand immunization coverage
- Prevent and manage obstetric complications, particularly excessive bleeding
- Promote birth spacing through use of modern contraceptives and exclusive breastfeeding
- Promote use of contraceptives that decrease blood loss
- Improve water and sanitation facilities/practices
Anaemia is diagnosed through clinical symptoms and lab tests like PCV, CBC, and blood smears to determine its type and cause.
Treatment depends on the type—ranging from iron and vitamin supplements to more advanced care like transfusions or bone marrow transplants for severe cases.
Prevention starts with a balanced diet rich in iron, folate, and vitamins, while government efforts should focus on food fortification, malaria control, and deworming.
