Anaemia Flashcards
Likely cause of microcytic anaemia
Iron deficiency
Likely cause of macrocytic anaemia
Folate or B12 deficiency
How to distinguish between causes of a normocytic anaemia?
Use the reticulocyte count
Causes of a high reticulocyte count
- blood loss
- haemolysis
Causes of a low reticulocyte count
- marrow hypoplasia
- chronic disease
Causes of iron deficiency
- inadequate intake
- increased demand
- blood loss
- impaired absorption
Daily iron requirements for babies
Full term = 1mg/kg
Low birth weight = 2mg/kg
Causes of blood loss from the gut
- gastritis
- milk allergy
- intestinal parasites (Trichuris)
- anatomic GIT lesions
- IBD
Haematologic findings in iron deficiency
Hb low
low MCV
wide RDW
hypochromia, microcytosis
For how long should you continue iron therapy?
Until the Hb is normal and then continue for a further 6 weeks
Appropriate iron therapy for iron deficiency
ferrous gluconate 3-6mg/kg/day
Less common causes of micocytic anaemia
- Thalassaemia
- chronic inflammatory disease
- sideroblastic anaemia
- lead poisoning
- copper deficiency
Types of congenital haemolytic anaemias
Membrane anomalies
- hereditary spherocytosis, elliptocytosis
RBC enzyme deficiencies
- G6PD or PK def
Haemoglobinopathies
- thalassaemia or sick cell
Lab features of haemolysis
Serum: - unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia - elevated lactate dehydrogenase - decreased haptoglobin Urine urobilin
Causes of anaemia of chronic disease
Infections (bronchiectasis, TB, HIV)
Renal disease
Chronic inflammatory disease
