Final answer:
MAHA is characterized by blood abnormalities which can be identified through lab tests (schistocytosis, thrombocytopenia, decreased haptoglobin levels). It often occurs in conjunction with diseases like thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) is a medical condition characterized by the destruction of red blood cells leading to anemia, and is often associated with diseases like thalassemia and sickle cell disease. The destruction of red blood cells often causes the presence of fragmented cells, or schistocytes, in the blood, a key feature in MAHA. In this condition, laboratory tests often reveal decreased levels of haptoglobin, increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a low platelet count or thrombocytopenia. Consequently, the correct answer to the question is b) Schistocytosis and thrombocytopenia and d) Decreased haptoglobin levels.
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