Final answer:
MCH refers to the mean corpuscular hemoglobin, which is a crucial indicator of the average hemoglobin content in red blood cells. Low MCH levels suggest anemia, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, paleness, and developmental delays in children. Methemoglobinemia involves the oxidation of hemoglobin's iron, reducing its oxygen-carrying capacity and leading to health complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
MCH, or mean corpuscular hemoglobin, is a measure of the average amount of hemoglobin contained within each red blood cell (erythrocyte). Hemoglobin is a critical oxygen/CO₂ carrier protein in the blood, which binds oxygen to deliver it to various parts of the body. The amount of hemoglobin in the blood is indicative of a person's oxygen-carrying capacity; hence, when the levels of hemoglobin are deficient, it can lead to a condition known as anemia.
Anemia cases can be categorized into three major groups: blood loss, faulty or decreased RBC production, and excessive destruction of RBCs. Symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, headaches, and irritability are common as the body struggles to function adequately with a reduced oxygen supply. In iron deficiency anemia, which is prevalent among children, adolescent girls, and nursing mothers, the hemoglobin content may drop to 5 to 9 g/100 ml, significantly impacting growth and overall health.
Particularly in weaned infants and young children, low hemoglobin levels can cause poor appetite, growth and paleness of the skin, indicating the vital role that sufficient hemoglobin levels play in development. In cases of methemoglobinemia, where the iron in hemoglobin is oxidized, the blood's ability to carry oxygen is compromised, which can lead to serious health issues, including cyanosis and dyspnoea.