Which statement NOT typically associated with burr cells on a blood smear?

Which statement NOT typically associated with burr cells on a blood smear?

• A. Sickle cell anemia
• B. Uremia
• C. Iron deficiency anemia
• D. Pyruvate kinase deficiency

Answer: (C)

Burr cells, or echinocytes, are red blood cells with evenly spaced projections caused by membrane changes. They appear when the membrane is stressed or altered by metabolic conditions or artifacts from smear preparation. They’re classically seen in uremia and in pyruvate kinase deficiency, reflecting membrane instability in these states. They can also show up with liver disease or if the smear dried slowly or improperly. Iron deficiency anemia, on the other hand, is characterized mainly by microcytosis, hypochromia, and sometimes pencil or target cells in other contexts, but burr cells are not a typical feature. So iron deficiency anemia is not typically associated with burr cells on a blood smear.

Burr cells, or echinocytes, are red blood cells with evenly spaced projections caused by membrane changes. They appear when the membrane is stressed or altered by metabolic conditions or artifacts from smear preparation. They’re classically seen in uremia and in pyruvate kinase deficiency, reflecting membrane instability in these states. They can also show up with liver disease or if the smear dried slowly or improperly. Iron deficiency anemia, on the other hand, is characterized mainly by microcytosis, hypochromia, and sometimes pencil or target cells in other contexts, but burr cells are not a typical feature. So iron deficiency anemia is not typically associated with burr cells on a blood smear.