Hypersegmented neutrophils and vitamin B12 deficiency. Hypersegmentation in B12 deficiency. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The sensitivities and specificities of the mean cell volume (MCV), the red cell distribution width (RDW), and blood smear hypersegmentation for B12 deficiency were reviewed in 515 patients whose B12 levels were determined. 61 patients had B12 levels less than 200 pg/ml. 43 patients were defined as B12 deficient (n = 13) or non-B12 deficient (n = 30). Hypersegmentation was more sensitive (91%) than MCV greater than 95 fl (62%) or RDW greater than 15% (54%) in detecting B12 deficiency. The MCV and the RDW should not be relied on when screening for B12 deficiency; examination of the blood smear for hypersegmentation is essential.

publication date

  • January 1, 1989

Research

keywords

  • Neutrophils
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0024319648

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1159/000205559

PubMed ID

  • 2502892

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 81

issue

  • 4