Good prediction of an anemic patient

Abstract

Anemias are a group of disease which draw the interest of by all clinicians as well as hematologists. An algorithm of anemia diagnosis by test parameters decreases the unuseful tests and prevents false diagnosis. Such schema must contain well-chosen tests and parameters. Complete blood count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) red cell distribution width (RDW), serum iron level, reticulocyte count, hemoglobin electrophoresis and direct Coombs test are most important measures. Even isolated Hb decrease, MCV decrease and RDW increase can predict near correct diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, A response to iron treatment confirms the diagnosis. We think that the algorithm in our paper can facilitate the differential diagnosis of anemia by minimum test count. (Turk Arch Ped 2009; 44 Suppl: 1-5)