Megaloblastic Anemia Case Study

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I obtained a case study about a 25-year-old African-American male that was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with pernicious anemia secondary to atrophic gastritis. Before I can explain his diagnosis of pernicious anemia (PA); one must learn what megaloblastic anemia is first. Megaloblastic anemia is an anemia due to a DNA synthesis disruption that results in large, abnormal erythroblasts. My patient presented with a bone marrow biopsy with hypercellular marrow with megaloblastic characteristics.7 It is estimated that approximately 95% of megaloblastic anemias are caused by either deficiencies in either Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) or Folic acid.1 Without these two essential vitamins, protein synthesis is delayed or disrupted causing ineffective …show more content…
It wasn’t until 1874 that Biermer of Zurich acknowledged the same type of case and coined the name pernicious anemia. 3 Pernicious “deadly” anemia was a universal term used for all megaloblastic anemias back in the day due to its high mortality rate. This certain disease is found more commonly in the Scandinavian, Northern European descents and having a family history will increase your chances of developing the disease later in life. Patients with PA are usually diagnosed at the average age of 60 years old and although PA is rarely found in children it can occur from two known causes such as, a congenital deficiency or a similar type as adults and the child will have autoantibodies present. Patient’s with PA will present with symptoms of a disorder known as Pica (eating inedible items), diarrhea or constipation, most commonly fatigue or light- headedness with fast movement or exertion, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and a known common symptom of a engorged and flushed tongue with bleeding gums. If the disease is severe and remains untreated confusion, depression, and numbness/ tingling in the extremities can
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