Anemia

Question 1

the major hemoglobin in post natal life is?

Answer 1

HbF (fetal hemoglobin which contains alpha2/gamma2 subunits)

Question 2

beta thalassemia major symptoms occur when

Answer 2

around 6 months when fetal hemoglobin turns to adult hemoglobin (HbA , which has subnits of alpha2/beta2)

Question 3

symptoms of b thalassemia

Answer 3

microcytic anemia, slowed growth, pallor, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly

Question 4

B thalassemia minor vs. Beta thalassemia major : pathophysiology

Answer 4

minor: decreased production of B globin chain

major: absent B globin chain

Question 5

B thalassemia minor vs. Beta thalassemia major : Symptoms

Answer 5

minor: asymptomatic microcytic anemia

severe: severe microcytic anemia after 6 months of life, bone marrow expansion with chipmunk facies, extra-medullary hematopoiesis and hepatosplenomegaly, increase risk of aplastic crisis with infection of parvovirus B19.

Question 6

B thalassemia minor vs. Beta thalassemia major : diagnostic findings

Answer 6

minor: hemoglobin A2>3.5%

major: target cells, increased fetal hemoglobin, increased hemoglobin A2

Question 7

iron deficiency anemia labs

mcv:
serum iron:
serum ferritin:
total iron binding capacity:

Answer 7

mcv: microcytic <80
serum iron: low
serum ferritin: low
total iron binding capacity: increased

Question 8

B thalassemia intermedia
B thalassemia major

Answer 8

intermedia: decreased Hemoglobin A2 (alpha and beta subuinit) leading to increased hemoglobin F (alpha and gamma) with the presence of a microcytic anemia - treatment is supportive

major: both beta alleles are gone and leads to tranfusion dependent anemia, extramedullary hematopoiesis (frontal bossing)

Question 9

sickle cell disease hemoglobin electrophoresis

Answer 9

increased hemoglobin F and hemoglobin S