Medical terms like "anisocytosis" can be concerning and confusing for parents when they receive their child’s blood test results. It’s normal to feel anxious if you’re not entirely sure what these terms mean. However, being aware of anisocytosis and its consequences will help you better understand the findings and communicate them to your physician.
Anisocytosis is the term for a variation in red blood cell size that can signify various medical conditions. It’s frequently a sign that something may be interfering with the body’s capacity to create or preserve healthy red blood cells.
This post will explain anisocytosis, what it may mean for your child, and what actions you may need to take in the future. We’ll concentrate on the important details so you’ll be better informed and ready to talk to your child’s doctor about their health.
Term | Description |
Anisocytosis | A condition where red blood cells vary in size. |
Causes | Can be due to nutritional deficiencies, such as lack of iron, or other medical conditions. |
Symptoms | Often no symptoms, but can include fatigue or weakness if severe. |
Diagnosis | Detected through a general blood test where the size variation of red blood cells is noted. |
Treatment | Depends on the cause; may include dietary changes or treating underlying conditions. |
A child’s general blood test result showing anisocytosis indicates that their red blood cell size varies, which may indicate an underlying medical condition such as anemia or a vitamin deficiency. Working with a physician and comprehending the findings can help address any possible health issues early on.
What is it?
We should immediately explain and reassure – anisocytosis is not a disease. This phenomenon in itself indicates that the size of blood cells is disturbed. Up to certain limits (moderate or insignificant anisocytosis), this is considered normal, in which no treatment is needed for the child. Only a pathological and uncontrolled decrease in the size of blood cells is considered dangerous, in which deformation and functional disorders of red blood cells (poikilocytosis) can develop. To better understand what we are talking about, we need to remember that there are several types of cells in the blood – leukocytes, platelets, erythrocytes. A general blood test helps to identify possible changes in the size, ratio and size of cells. Particular attention is paid to the size, shape, color of erythrocytes – red blood cells that carry oxygen. If their size is smaller than normal, they talk about anisocytosis.
Microcytes can measure up to 6.9 microns in size, macrocytes 7.7 microns, megalocytes 9.5 microns in diameter, and normocytes up to 7.5 microns in an average general blood test of a healthy child.
When the percentage of cells with aberrant sizes reaches 30% of the total or rises above these thresholds, the condition known as anizocytosis is mentioned. A healthy child has a normocyte content of no more than 70% and a macrocyte to microcyte ratio of 15% each. Based on the test results, the medical record will have the entry "anisocytosis" if this ratio is out of the ordinary.
What it can be?
- minor – no more than 30%;
- moderate – 30-50%;
- pronounced – 50-70%;
- sharp – more than 70%.
If anisocytosis is found, further laboratory testing of the child’s blood should be done rather than being alarmed. Normal healthy normocyte counts are significantly reduced, which impacts the rate of metabolic processes, reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to organs and tissues, and frequently results in concurrent anemia.
When pediatricians talk about anisocytosis, they typically mean a change in the size and form of red blood cells, but this idea also generally refers to changes in the size of leukocytes and platelets.
Causes
The state of blood cells can be impacted by a wide range of factors. Therefore, any of the following could be the cause:
- nutrition disorders in the child – when it is unbalanced, irregular or insufficient;
- a blood transfusion that the child underwent not so long ago;
- myelodysplastic syndrome – a hematological disease occurring with bone marrow dysplasia;
- the presence of oncological diseases;
- iron deficiency, as well as vitamins A and B12;
- hepatological diseases (liver diseases);
- anemia of any kind and type;
- primary disorders in the thyroid gland.
Anisocytosis in infants is frequently physiological, or normal, and unrelated to any illnesses. Red blood cell sizes in infants under the age of one typically deviate from the average in a less noticeable way.
The type of anisocytosis that is found also matters.
Any viral illness or infectious disease that a child has experienced is likely to result in an increased content of microcytes (reduced cells) in a general blood test, which can be detected in children as young as 3 months old or as old as 7 years old. This is a transient phenomenon, and the blood cells will eventually return to normal.
Up until the age of two weeks, macrocytosis is typically a characteristic of infants; after that, it typically goes away on its own.
How it manifests itself?
If anisocytosis is mild, there may not be any symptoms at all; test results are the only way to know if it exists. In certain instances, its indications closely resemble those of anemia. The child’s heartbeat quickens and they become weak, exhausted, and lose strength quickly. The child may complain of weakness, diminished memory, and difficulty absorbing new information because the alteration in red blood cell size causes a certain amount of oxygen starvation.
The infant may have paler skin, headaches, vertigo, and sleep disturbances (either he sleeps a lot and feels tired, or he has serious issues falling asleep, getting enough sleep, and having quality sleep).
Since these symptoms by themselves do not point to a particular illness, it is crucial to do a more thorough examination on a child whose anisocytosis has been detected. If there is an underlying illness, it is crucial to detect it.
Parents can better understand what their child’s health may be telling them if they are aware of anisocytosis in their child’s blood test. Even though it sounds complicated, it just refers to the differences in red blood cell sizes. This information is important because it can indicate a variety of illnesses, such as vitamin deficiencies and anemia.
If your child’s blood test results indicate anisocytosis, it’s crucial to consult a doctor again to find out what might be causing it. The general wellbeing of your child can be significantly improved by early detection and treatment.
Recall that a single test result is only one component of the picture. Maintaining your child’s health and addressing any potential problems early on depend on routine check-ups and communication with your doctor.