A pregnant patient at 24 weeks' gestation complains of shortness of breath on exertion, fatigue, weakness, and constant cravings for ice chips

Question

On physical examination, vital signs are T 98.6, pulse 100, resps 18/min, BP 120/ 70. On physical examination, heart has regular rate and rhythm at 100 beats/min, no S3, no murmurs. Lungs are clear to auscultation. Abdominal examination is negative. Uterus fundus is above umbilicus. Ankles: no edema. Dorsalis pedis pulses +2/4 bilaterally. Urine dipstick is negative for protein. Laboratory tests reveal CBC: Hgb 10 microcytic hypochromic RBCs. Which of the following conditions should be suspected?
A. Iron deficiency anemia
B. Folic acid deficiency anemia
C. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
D. None of the above

Answer 1

ANS: A
Anemia is not a disease unto itself but a sign of an underlying disorder, which is common among pregnant women. A hemoglobin less than 11 g/dl in either the first or third trimester or less than 10.5 g/dL in the second trimester is considered anemia (Arnett, Greenspoon, & Roman, 2013). Anemia during pregnancy is associated with high-output CHF, premature delivery, low birth weight, and fetal demise. The etiology of the anemia can be classified according to the size and color of the red blood cells (RBCs) (Table 19.5). The anemias most often diagnosed during pregnancy are folic-acid and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). The principle etiologies for these anemias are inadequate nutrition, especially among women in lower socioeconomic groups, and the increased body requirements of pregnancy. If IDA is suspected on the basis of a CBC (low hemoglobin and low RBC indices), iron studies should be attained. These iron studies will generally reveal a low serum iron level, decreased serum ferritin, increased total iron-binding capacity, and decreased transferrin saturation percentage (Arnett, Greenspoon, & Roman, 2013). Folate is needed for normal DNA production, but the body stores of folate are limited to a 3-month reserve and may be depleted during high rates of cell turnover, such as during pregnancy. A folate and vitamin B12 level should be checked if the CBC suggests that a macrocytic anemia (low hemoglobin level and an MCV of greater than 100) is the cause. An anemic woman may complain of fatigue and dyspnea on exertion. Common findings include skin pallor, tachycardia, grade II/VI systolic heart murmur, and increased respiratory rate. The CBC will indicate potential causes (see Table 19.5) and guide selection of additional diagnostic studies, such as iron panel, folate level, sickle-cell screen or hemoglobin electrophoresis, and liver function tests. Differential diagnoses include iron deficiency, folate deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, sickle cell trait/anemia, and thalassemia.