1.4 Red cell disorders 1 Flashcards
define anaemia
Reduction of Hb due to quantitative or qualitative impairment in red cell production
What is the normal Hb in adult male and females?
Male: 135-180
Female: 115-160
What are the clinical features of haemolytic anaemia?
Pallor
Jaundice
Splenomegaly
Gallstones (pigment from Hb)
What are spherocytes?
red cells that are ball shaped instead of biconcave
What are poikilocytes?
misshapen RBCs
What is polychromasia?
fragmented RBCs
What is reticulocytosis?
Increase in reticulocytes (immature RBCs)
What is thalassaemia?
Imbalance in the globin chains of Hb
What is haemoglobinopathy?
Structural abnormalities in globin molecule due to point mutations
What is the normal Hb structure?
Tetramer of two alpha and two beta chains, each of which has a heme molecule to which an Fe is attached
What is haemoglobin F?
Hb in foetus which has 2 alpha and 2 gamma chains (rather than beta like in adults HbA)
What is haemaglobin A2?
2 alpha and 2 delta chains
Which chromosomes encode the Hb genes and which ones encode which?
Chromosome 11: beta cluster, delta and 2 fetal gamma genes
Chromosom 16: alpha cluster
How does Hb change from foetus to adult?
Hb F consists of alpha chains and gamma chains which predominate until the time of birth. After birth the gamma chains will be replaced by beta chains
What tests can you use for Hb samples?
Alkaline gel electrophoresis
Acid gel electrophoresis
High performance liquid chromatography