1- Blood
smear examination: Microscopic examination of red blood cells after blood is
smeared on a glass slide can sometimes indicate the cause of the anemia.
2 - Iron
tests: These
include total serum iron and ferritin tests, which can help to determine
whether anemia is due to iron deficiency.
3 - Hemoglobin
electrophoresis:
This test identifies various abnormal hemoglobins in the blood and is used
to diagnose sickle cell anemia and the thalassemias.
4 - Bone
marrow aspiration and biopsy:
This test can help determine whether cell
production is happening normally in the bone marrow.
It's the only way to
diagnose aplastic anemia definitively and is also used if it is suspected
that a disease affecting the bone marrow (such as leukemia) could be the
cause for the anemia.
In addition to running these tests, your child's doctor
may ask about a family history of anemia and your child's symptoms and
medications. This may lead the doctor to perform other tests to look for
specific diseases that might be the underlying cause of the anemia.
