Peripheral Smear Findings in Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Comprehensive Guide
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3 min read
Deficiencies in vitamin B12, or cobalamin, are a leading cause of megaloblastic anemia, a condition characterized by impaired DNA synthesis. This defect profoundly affects rapidly dividing cells, most notably those in the bone marrow, leading to distinctive morphological changes visible on a peripheral blood smear. Identifying these characteristic peripheral smear findings is a crucial step in the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency and distinguishing it from other types of anemia.
