Anaemia Flashcards
What are the most common signs of Anaemia?
Skin & Mucosal Pallor
Conjunctival Pallor
Fatigue
Tachypnoea
Tachycardia
How does Iron Deficiency Anaemia look on Blood Film?
Poikilocytosis (Unequal shape)
Pencil Cells
Hypochromic and Microcytic
What causes Iron Deficiency Anaemia?
Reduced Uptake - Malnutrition, Coeliac, IBD, Achlorhydria
Increased Loss - GI Cancer, Peptic Ulcer, IBD, Menstruation
Increased Requirement - Pregnancy, Breastfeeding
What is the triad of presenting symptoms associated with Colon Cancer?
Weight Loss
PR Bleeding
Unexplained IDA
How do you differentiate between IDA and ACD on blood tests?
IDA - Low Ferritin, High TIBC
ACD - High Ferritin, Low TIBC
What is Thalassaemia?
Globin Chain mutations, causing quantitative defects in the Alpha or Beta chains of Haemoglobin
What are the key features of Thalassaemia?
‘Greek Cyprus Origin’
Severity of Anaemia depends on the Thalassaemia
, Beta Major and HbH most severe.
Microcytic
What is Sickle Cell?
Autosomal Recessive disorder causing the formation of HbS, whcih has a weaker membrane when deoxygenated and is prone to intravascular haemolysis.
What may you see on the blood film of someone with Sickle Cell Disease?
Howell-Joly Bodies
Sickled Cells
How can Sickle-Cell Crises present?
Acute Painful Crisis
Stroke
Sequestration Crisis
Chronic Cholecystitis
What are the key presenting features of Sickle Cell?
Dactilytis
Actue Chest Syndrome
Haemolytic Anaemia
Aplastic Crisis
Priapism
How is Sickle Cell diagnosed?
Hb Electrophoresis
Blood Film
How do you manage a patient with Sickle Cell?
Trigger Avoidance
Vaccinations, Hydroxyurea, Prophylactic Antibiotics
Bone Marrow Transplant
Fluids, Analgesia, Oxygen (In a crisis)
What can cause a Microcytic Anaemia?
Iron-Deficiency
Chronic Disease
Thalassaemia
Sickle Cell
What might you see on the Blood Film of a patient with Folate or B12 deficiency?
Hypersegmented Neutrophils
Macrocytic Cells
What can cause a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Alcohol
IBD/Coeliac
Bariatric Surgery
Malnutrition
Pernicious Anaemia
What can cause a Folate Deficiency?
Alcohol
IBD/Coeliac
Anti-Folate Drugs
Pregnancy
What are the main symptoms of B12 Deficiency?
Megaloblastic Anaemia
+ Neuro Signs
Glove + Stocking paraesthesia
Hyporeflexia
Romberg’s +ve
Subacute combined degeneration of the cord