Which of the following is a cause of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA)?

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) is characterized by the destruction of red blood cells as they pass through small blood vessels, often due to the presence of fibrin strands and the formation of microthrombi. This process leads to fragmentation of red blood cells and can result from various underlying conditions.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex disorder that can lead to widespread activation of the coagulation cascade, resulting in the formation of small clots throughout the circulation. In DIC, the excessive clot formation consumes clotting factors and platelets, leading to a state of both clotting and bleeding. As the red blood cells traverse these small clots, they can become fragmented, leading to the hemolytic anemia that is characteristic of MAHA.

The other options presented do not primarily cause MAHA. Iron deficiency anemia is primarily a microcytic anemia due to a lack of iron and does not involve the mechanical destruction of red blood cells by microvascular damage. Vitamin K deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency also lead to different forms of anemia, such as coagulopathies or macrocytic anemia, respectively, without the hemolytic component seen in MAHA. Thus, DIC is recognized