What is one of the five causes of microcytic anemia?

Microcytic anemia is characterized by the presence of small red blood cells and is most commonly associated with inadequate hemoglobin production. One of the primary causes of microcytic anemia is iron deficiency, which occurs when there is insufficient iron available for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. When iron levels are inadequate due to various reasons such as poor dietary intake, chronic blood loss, or malabsorption, the body cannot produce sufficient hemoglobin, leading to the creation of smaller red blood cells.

In terms of the other options, copper deficiency can lead to anemia as well, but it typically presents as a macrocytic anemia rather than microcytic. Folic acid deficiency is also associated with macrocytic anemia, characterized by larger than normal red blood cells due to impaired DNA synthesis. Hemolytic anemia results from the destruction of red blood cells rather than inadequate production, leading to normocytic anemia rather than microcytic. Thus, iron deficiency stands out as a principal cause of microcytic anemia.