What is low packed cell volume?
A low PCV implies that the patient has a low number of red blood cells and is suffering from anaemia. The doctor may ask the patient to undergo further tests to determine the underlying causes of anaemia.
What causes low MCV in children?
Microcytic anemia — Microcytic anemia (picture 2) is defined as anemia with a low MCV (ie, ≤2.5th percentile for age and sex) (table 1). (See ‘Red blood cell indices’ above.) The most common causes of microcytic anemia in children are iron deficiency and thalassemia (algorithm 2) [1,24].
What is the meaning of packed cell volume?
Definition. The proportion of blood occupied by red blood cells, usually expressed as a percentage of the total blood volume.
What does low hematocrit mean in a child?
If your HCT is low, it means you may have: Anemia. White blood cell cancers, such as leukemia. Chronic illness. Bleeding.
What is the normal MCV level for a child?
| Age | Hemoglobin (g/dL) | MCV (fL) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months to <2 years* | 11.0¶ | 73 |
| 2 to 6 years | 11.0¶ | 75 |
| 6 to 12 years | 11.2 | 78 |
| 12 to <18 years |
What does low hemoglobin mean in a child?
Anemia is a common health problem in children. The most common cause of anemia is not getting enough iron. A child who is anemic does not have enough red blood cells or enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that lets red blood cells carry oxygen to other cells in the body. Iron is needed to form hemoglobin.
What is PCV disease?
In polycythemia vera (PCV), the body makes too many red blood cells, leading to a thickening of the blood. It can be associated with an elevated platelet count and an enlarged spleen. This slow-developing disease is linked to a mutation in the gene JAK2, which regulates the production of blood cells.
What causes low hemoglobin kids?
Diet low in iron, or some vitamins or minerals. Surgery or accident with blood loss. Long-term illnesses, such as infections, or kidney or liver disease. Family history of an inherited type of anemia, such as sickle cell anemia.