<prompt> Which of the following conditions is associated with microcytic hypochromic anemiaSickle cell anemiaThalassemiaFanconis anemiaHereditary spherocytosis  <response>: Ref Harrison 19 th ed pg 637 Hypochromia and microcytosis characterize all forms of b thal- assemia because of the reduced amounts of hemoglobin tetramers . In heterozygotes b thalassemia trait, this is the only abnormality seen. Anemia is minimal. In more severe homozygous states, unbalanced a- and b-globin accumulation causes accumulation of highly insoluble unpaired a chains. They form toxic inclusion bod- ies that kill developing erythroblasts in the marrow. Few of the pro- erythroblasts beginning erythroid maturation survive. The surviving RBCs bear a burden of inclusion bodies that are detected in the spleen, shoening the RBC life span and producing severe hemolytic anemia 