Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Anemometer

    In pulmonary function studies, a device for measuring the rate of air flow through a tube. The rate at which air flows into or out of the lung may be measured by using a calibrated anemometer.  

  • Anemic

    To anemia; deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in volume of blood.  

  • Transfusion dependent anemia

    Anemia for which the only effective therapy is repeated blood transfusions.  

  • Splenic anemia

    Enlargement of the spleen due to portal or splenic hypertension with accompanying anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and gastric hemorrhage.  

  • Septic anemia

    Anemia due to severe infection.  

  • Runner’s anemia

    Mild hemolysis with hematuria, hemoglobinemia, and hemoglobinuria produced by strenuous exercise, including running. The anemia may be caused by: 1) the destruction of red blood cells during repeated striking of the ground by the runner’s feet; 2) plasma volume expansion; and 3) intestinal blood loss. Blood may be lost in the feces, presumably due to…

  • Anemia of prematurity

    Anemia that gradually develops in the first months of life in an infant born before the 37th week of gestation. It is caused by insufficient production of erythropoietin. Treatment may include red blood cell transfusions (to increase iron stores) and/or recombinant human erythropoietin.  

  • Normocytic anemia

    Anemia in which the size and hemoglobin content of red blood cells remain normal.  

  • Normochromic anemia

    Anemia in which the red blood cells contain the normal amount of hemoglobin.  

  • Anemia of the newborn

    Hemoglobin levels less than 14 g/dl in term newborns. Common causes include peripartum bleeding, hemolytic disease of the newborn, twin-to-twin transfusion (15% to 30% of all monochorionic twins with abnormalities of placental blood vessels), and impaired red cell manufacture caused by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.