This type of anemia develops due to depletion of the body stores of anaemia due to haemorrhage, malabsorption, inadequate dietary iron or loss of body iron through urine or stool. Due to the depletion, the number of red blood cells made is reduced. Due to the insufficiency of iron, even the red cells that are made are abnormal and do not meet the normal haemoglobin-oxygen carrying capacity requirements (Brown & Cutler, 2012). As a result, oxygen transport, DNA synthesis and the transport of electrons are compromised, leading to the clinical manifestations of anaemia.

Pathophysiology of Pernicious Anemia:

This type of anaemia results from a defect in the gastric parietal cells, which leads to insufficient production of the gastric protein IF. Gastric protein IF facilitates adequate absorption and metabolism of vitamin B12. With the deficiency of the gastric protein IF, absorption and metabolism of Vitamin B12 is compromised. As a result, DNA synthesis is compromised, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis. The red blood cells produced are thus not able to pack enough oxygen for transport, causing the symptoms of anaemia (Brown & Cutler, 2012).

Comparison of Iron deficiency anemia and Pernicious anemia:

One similarity between the pathophysiology of the two anaemias, is that both may be caused by a family history, or genetic predisposition (Brown & Cutler, 2012). Pernicious anaemia can be caused by a genetic defect in parietal cells, while iron deficiency anaemia can result from a genetic defect that may cause malabsorption of iron. Another similarity is that both types cause anaemia due to a limitation of the hemoglobin carrying capacity. One difference between the two is that, while pernicious anaemia has a genetic predisposition the main cause, iron deficiency anaemia has various causes. IDA iron insufficiency, while pernicious anaemia results from vitamin B12 insufficiency.

Patient factors such as genetics, gender, ethnicity, age and behavior have a role to play in these anaemias. The gastric parietal cell defect in pernicious anaemia, for example, can be genetic in nature. Additionally, malabsorption of iron can be genetic in nature. In regard to gender, females are more predisposed to iron deficiency anaemia due to menstruation and . As regards behavior, one can suffer iron deficiency anaemia due to continuous consumption of iron-deficient diets. Internationally, people living in countries where meat is less consumed are more prevalent to anaemia (Brown & Cutler, 2012).

References

Brown, M., & Cutler, T. (2012). Hematology nursing. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.