Anaemia

Question 1

Definition of anaemia

Answer 1

• Neonate
  
  • Hb <14 g/dl
• Infant (< 12 months)
  
  • Hb <10 g/dl
• 1-12 years
  
  • Hb <11 g/dl

Question 2

Aetiology of anaemia

Answer 2

• ↓ RBC production
  
  • Ineffective erythropoiesis
    
    • Iron deficiency
    • Folate deficiency
    • Chronic renal failure
  • Aplasia (absence of production)
    
    • Leukaemia
• ↑ RBC destruction (haemolysis)
  
  • RBC membrane disorders
    
    • Hereditary spherocytosis
  • RBC enzyme disorders
    
    • G6PD deficiency
  • Haemoglobinopathies
    
    • Thalassaemia
    • Sickle cell
  • Immune
    
    • Haemolytic disease of the newborn
    • Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
• Blood loss
  
  • Meckel diverticulum
  • von Willebrand disease

Question 3

Anaemia history

Answer 3

• What symptoms?
  
  • Child tires easily
  • Infants feed more slowly than usual
• Iron deficiency
  
  • Blood loss
    
    • Stool
    • Bruise easily
  • Malabsorption
    
    • FTT
    • Diarrhoea/Steatorrhoea
    • FHx (Crohn’s, coeliac, CF)
  • Pica
  • Diet Hx
    
    • Tea & coffee prevent iron absorption
• How are they getting on at school?
• FHx
  
  • Blood/bleeding disorders