Erythrocytes in beta thalassemia patients characteristically present as____________?
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Answer: B. Microcytic and Hypochromic
Explanation
Beta thalassemia causes defective hemoglobin chain synthesis, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis and chronic anemia. The resulting erythrocytes are characteristically smaller than normal and contain reduced amounts of hemoglobin. Laboratory blood smears directly confirm the classic microcytic and hypochromic red blood cell indices. Beta thalassemia is an inherited genetic blood disorder caused by mutations in the HBB gene. Microcytic means the mean corpuscular volume of the red blood cells is abnormally low. Hypochromic indicates that the red blood cells possess a reduced color intensity due to low hemoglobin.
Affected patients often exhibit severe bone marrow expansion resulting in characteristic facial skull deformities. Regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy are essential components of long-term medical management. Oral manifestations can include prominent maxillary overgrowth and generalized mucosal pallor from anemia. Option A describes macrocytic cells which are typically seen in vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies. Option C incorrectly combines normal cell size with reduced hemoglobin concentration. Option D refers to normal red blood cells which fail to reflect the pathology of thalassemia.
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