Causes of Anemia in Late Pregnancy

Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Anemia can be categorized into several different types, each caused by different reasons. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs in late pregnancy when the intake or absorption of iron by pregnant women is insufficient. Megaloblastic anemia is caused by a deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 in the patient's body. Additionally, there is thalassemia, which is caused by a genetic deficiency in the patient, leading to anemia in the fetus as well. Another type is aplastic anemia, which is caused by abnormal bone marrow hematopoietic function leading to anemia.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Which department should I go to for anemia?

Anemia is classified as a hematological disease and requires further diagnosis and treatment in the department of hematology. In severe cases of anemia, the body can be in a state of ischemia and hypoxia, which can induce the occurrence of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as acute angina and cerebral thrombosis. Therefore, patients with acute anemia need to have red blood cell transfusions to support treatment and correct the anemia. If the anemia is not severe, red blood cell transfusion is not necessary, but it is important to complete tests like anemia indicators, bone marrow aspiration, and bone marrow biopsy to further clarify the cause of the anemia and treat it accordingly.

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Written by Li Guo Bao
Hematology
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Which department is for anemia?

There are many causes of anemia, and anemia is just one clinical manifestation of many diseases. Which department to visit for anemia should be determined based on the clinical symptoms of the patient. For example, if an anemic patient has symptoms of the digestive tract such as black stools, nausea, vomiting, or even vomiting blood, it is advised to visit the department of gastroenterology. If a female patient also has an increased amount of menstrual flow, prolonged periods, or other irregular menstrual conditions, it is advised to visit the department of gynecology. If a patient has unexplained fever, anemia, and petechiae on the body, it is recommended to visit the department of hematology.

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Written by Gong Hui
Pediatrics
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How to supplement baby's anemia?

The treatment for childhood anemia primarily focuses on addressing the underlying cause. Nutritional anemia is the most common type of anemia in children, which includes iron-deficiency anemia and megaloblastic anemia. For iron-deficiency anemia, the main treatment is iron supplementation. This can be done through dietary means, such as increasing the intake of foods high in iron like pork liver and egg yolks. Additionally, treatment should address any underlying causes of iron deficiency. For instance, if parasitic infections are causing blood loss, then treating the parasitic infection is necessary. If the anemia is due to poor dietary habits or picky eating, then changing these habits is crucial. If general treatments are ineffective, then oral iron supplements should be considered. In the case of megaloblastic anemia, it is important to address the vitamin deficiencies that cause it, namely the lack of folate and vitamin B12. Supplementation of folate and vitamin B12 is recommended.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Can anemia cause fever?

Patients with severe anemia may exhibit low-grade fever due to the severity of the anemia, where the fever generally does not exceed 38 degrees Celsius, mostly hovering around 37.5 degrees Celsius. Besides, if a patient with anemia develops high fever above 38 degrees Celsius, even reaching around 39 degrees Celsius, it is crucial to be vigilant about a possible secondary infection due to poor resistance from anemia. It is important to actively search for the source of infection, complete tests such as inflammatory markers, CT scans, and ultrasound imaging, and, once an infectious fever is suspected, to initiate aggressive anti-infection treatment.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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Can anemia cause tinnitus?

Anemia can lead to tinnitus. The occurrence of tinnitus due to anemia often indicates that the anemia is severe. At this time, transfusion of red blood cells as supportive treatment, and correcting the anemia afterwards, will make the tinnitus disappear. The reason anemia causes tinnitus is that it leads to a state of ischemia and hypoxia in various organs of the body. In the auditory system, this is manifested as tinnitus; in the nervous system, it is also manifested as dizziness, headache, a feeling of heaviness in the head, and even cerebral infarction; in the cardiovascular system, it is manifested as palpitations and panic.