What is Hemolytic Anemia Associated with Vitamin E Deficiency?
As a rule, vitamin E deficiency in adults develops with intestinal upset disorder due to inflammation of the small intestine, impaired absorption of fat in inflammation of the pancreas. However, more often, vitamin E deficiency is observed in preterm infants.
Pathogenesis during Hemolytic Anemia Associated with Vitamin E Deficiency
Vitamin E is one of the most important means of protecting the cell from the effects of oxidizing agents. Reducing vitamin E levels leads to increased formation of lipid peroxides in the cell membrane and shortening the life span of red blood cells. In premature babies, the availability of vitamin E depends on the degree of prematurity. The normal supply of vitamin E in a newborn is 20 mg, and the premature born with a body weight of 1000 g has in stock only 3 mg of vitamin E.
The erythrocyte membrane in such a child is easily broken when exposed to oxidizing agents. The composition of the fatty acids in the phospholipids of the membrane depends largely on the composition of the fatty acids in the baby’s food. If the diet contains a lot of linoleic acid, then its content increases in the erythrocyte membrane, and they are more easily destroyed. Women’s milk contains significantly less linoleic acid than cow’s.
With a deficiency of vitamin E in the body, red blood cells can be destroyed by exposure to large doses of iron, which is sometimes prescribed to prematurely, as iron catalyzes peroxidation.
Symptoms of Hemolytic Anemia Associated with Vitamin E Deficiency
With a deficiency of vitamin E, mild hemolytic anemia is observed with intracellular destruction of red blood cells, a slight decrease in hemoglobin level (up to 90-100 g / l) and an increase in reticulocyte levels (up to 2.5-3.5%) and bilirubin (up to 30 µmol / l) .
Treatment of Hemolytic Anemia Associated with Vitamin E Deficiency
Anemia associated with vitamin E deficiency is treated with vitamin E administered orally to newborns and intramuscularly with steatorrhea (elevated fat content in the feces) and a violation of vitamin E absorption in adults.