Anaemia - Aplastic (Normocytic) = Plastic Melts In Heat

Question 1

Epidemiology

Answer 1

Can develop at any age
Can occur suddenly or come on slowely + worsen over time

Question 2

Definition

Answer 2

Condition where body stops producing enough blood cells
- reduction in number of pluripotent stem cells
Immune reaction against them

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

High dose radiation
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Au = gold compounds
= carbamazepine
= azathioprine
The use of some prescription drugs
- CHLORAMPHENICOL
Pregnancy

Question 4

Aetiology

Answer 4

Usually idiopathic
Autoimmune
Exposure to toxic chemicals
Certain drugs
Viral infections
- TB
- HIV

Question 5

Signs + Symptoms

Answer 5

Low RBC =
- Fatigue
- SOB
- Rapid and irregular heart rate
- Pallor
Low WBC =
- frequent/prolonged infections
- unexplained or easy bruising
Low Platelets =
- nose bleeds
- bleeding gums
- prolonged bleeding from gums
- mucosal bleeding
- petichiae

Question 6

Diagnosis

Answer 6

FIRST LINE = FBC = Minimum of two things low, WBC, RBC or platelet count
GOLD STANDARD Bone marrow biopsy + cytogenic analysis = hypocellular marrow with increased fat spaces

Question 7

Treatment

Answer 7

FIRST LINE + GOLD STANDARD = Stem cell transplant
50+ = immunosuppressive therapy
- Anti-thymocyte globulin = CICLOSPORIN
- Blood product transfusions