Patients with protein deficiency anemia also show signs of multiple nutritional deficiencies, especially of folic acid, vitamin B12, and iron.
Protein is essential for the proper production of hemoglobin and red blood cells. Due to deficiency of proteins, the synthesis of hemoglobin is reduced. The RBCs are macrocytic and hypochromic.
The deficiency protein results in decreased formation of all hematopoietic cells. Hematopoietic cells are lodged within the bone marrow that give rise to all the other blood cells and are derived from mesoderm.
A mild normocytic anemia develops after 6 months of semi-starvation and after 3 months of complete starvation.
In chronic protein deficiency, the decreased RBC production is proportionate to the reduced by decreased secretion of erythroproietin.
Anemia due to protein deficiency
