In Diamond-blackfan anemia, what is the typical reticulocyte count?

In Diamond-blackfan anemia, what is the typical reticulocyte count?

• A. Elevated
• B. Low
• C. Normal
• D. Fluctuating

Answer: (B)

In Diamond-Blackfan anemia, the bone marrow has a selective failure of erythroid production, so the number of immature red cells released into the blood is greatly reduced. The reticulocyte count reflects how actively the marrow is making new red cells; with erythroid precursors not maturing properly, this count remains inappropriately low even though there is anemia. This is why the typical reticulocyte count is low in this condition. In contrast, conditions with increased red cell destruction or blood loss raise the reticulocyte count as the marrow compensates. Diamond-Blackfan anemia usually spares white blood cells and platelets, so the abnormality is isolated to the red cell line.

In Diamond-Blackfan anemia, the bone marrow has a selective failure of erythroid production, so the number of immature red cells released into the blood is greatly reduced. The reticulocyte count reflects how actively the marrow is making new red cells; with erythroid precursors not maturing properly, this count remains inappropriately low even though there is anemia. This is why the typical reticulocyte count is low in this condition. In contrast, conditions with increased red cell destruction or blood loss raise the reticulocyte count as the marrow compensates. Diamond-Blackfan anemia usually spares white blood cells and platelets, so the abnormality is isolated to the red cell line.