Morphologic Classification of Anemias

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 185 CE courses, most popular		$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours		$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Describing a Red Blood Cell Population Using RBC Indices and Red Cell Distribution Width. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Describing a Red Blood Cell Population Using RBC Indices and Red Cell Distribution Width (online CE course)
Morphologic Classification of Anemias

Red blood cell morphology is another system for classifying anemia. There are three basic divisions within the morphologic classification system:
  1. Microcytic: MCV <80 fL
  2. Macrocytic: MCV >100 fL
  3. Normocytic: MCV 80–100 fL
The table below provides examples of anemias in each category.
Table 4. Anemia Classifications based on MCV.
CategoryAnemia
Microcytic (MCV <80 fL)
  • Iron Deficiency
  • Anemia of Chronic Inflammation
  • Sideroblastic Anemia
  • Globin deficiency - Thalassemia
Macrocytic (MCV >100 fL) Megaloblastic
  • Vit B12 deficiency
    • Nutritional deficiency
    • Malabsorption
    • Pernicious Anemia (autoimmune)
  • Folate deficiency
Non-megaloblastic
  • Chronic Liver Disease
  • Alcoholism
  • Aplastic Anemia (hypoproliferative)
Normocytic (MCV 80–100 fL) Hemolytic Anemias
  • Spherocytosis, elliptocytosis
  • Acanthocytosis, stomatocytosis
  • Immune hemolysis
  • Mechanical - cardiac valve prosthesis
  • Burns
Bone marrow suppression
  • Antibody-mediated
  • Infection - malaria
  • Chemical and physical agents - drugs, toxins
Adopted from Rodak, 2020.