Significance of a low mean corpuscular volume in patients in Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Malaysia

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the common causes of a low mean corpuscular volume in patients admitted to Kuala Lumpur Hospital between 1 January and 30 June 1998. A total of 2097 microcytic cases were selected based on a mean corpuscular volume of less than 76 fL as determined by the Abbott CELL-DYN ® 1700 System Electronic Cell Counter. Iron deficiency (50%) is the most common cause of microcytic anaemia, followed by chronic diseases (21 %), and thalassaemia syndromes (20%). Iron deficiency anaemia is still relatively prevalent (16.3%).