Prognosis Definition Sideroblastic anemia is a term used to describe a group of rare blood disorders characterized by the bone marrow's inability to manufacture normal red blood cells. Description Named for the Greek words for iron and germ, sideroblastic anemia is one of the principal types of iron-utilization anemia. Abnormal, iron-saturated red cells are present in the blood of people who have this disease. Although the iron circulates normally from the plasma to the bone marrow, where new red blood cells are created, it is not properly incorporated into new red blood cells. Sideroblastic anemia can be inherited, but the disease is usually acquired as a result of illness or exposure to toxic substances.
Sideroblastic anemia is a disease of adults.
The cause of sideroblastic anemia cannot always be identified. Drug toxicity, alcohol abuse, and lead poisoning are common causes of this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis , and other inflammatory diseases. Symptoms of sideroblastic anemia are the same as symptoms of the disease that causes the condition, as well as anemia. Diabetes mellitus .