transitive verb. 1  To keep up or carry on; continue: maintain good relations. 2  To keep in an existing state; preserve or retain: maintain one's composure. 3  To keep in a condition of good repair or efficiency: maintain two cars.
Anemia is usually classified based on the size of RBCs, as measured by the mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Anemia can be microcytic (MCV typically less than 80 Î¼m3 [80 fL]), normocytic (80 to 100 Î¼m3 [80 to 100 fL]), or macrocytic (greater than 100 Î¼m3 [100 fL]).
Major causes of anemia are: 1  Nutritional â iron, folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies. 2  Acute or chronic blood loss (gastrointestinal bleeding/heavy periods) 3  Infections â malaria, HIV. 4  Chronic diseases â renal, neoplasia. 5  Parasites. 6  Hemolytic anemias â drugs, congenital. 7  Hemoglobinopathies â sickle cell, thalassemia.