Anaemia

Question 1

Vitamin B12 deficiency treatment

Answer 1

vitamin B12 replacement (hydroxycobalamin) given intramuscularly
3 injections per week for 2 weeks and then 3 monthly

Question 2

pernicious anaemia pathophysiology: intrinsic factor antibodies

Answer 2

antibodies to intrinsic factor bind to intrinsic factor blocking vitamin B12 binding site

Question 3

pernicious anaemia pathophysiology: gastric parietal cell antibodies

Answer 3

gastric parietal cell antibodies -> reduced acid production and atrophic gastritis -> reduced intrinsic factor production -> reduced B12 absorption

Question 4

risk factors for pernicious anaemia

Answer 4

more common in females
develops in middle to old age
associated with other autoimmune conditions
blood group A

Question 5

pernicious anaemia first line investigations

Answer 5

1st line: intrinsic factor antibodies

Question 6

iron deficiency anaemia

Question 7

sickle cell anaemia pneumococcal vaccination

Answer 7

every 5 years