Blood and nutrition Flashcards
What is sickle cell anaemia?
structural abnormality of haemoglobin
What symptoms are associated with sickle cell crisis?
severe pain, requires hospitalisation and blood transfusions
What are complications that can arise with sickle cell anaemia?
skin ulceration, renal failure, increased susceptibility to infections
What else is beneficial to these patients with sickle cell anaemia?
various vaccines and prophylactic penicillin required
Any treatment to help sickle cell anaemia?
hydroxycarbamide (antineoplastic) - reduces frequency of crisis. May take months for effect. Main s/E myelosuppression and skin reactions
Where is G6PD deficiency highly prevalent? Who is at higher risk?
Africa, Asia, Southern europe.
Males >females
Which drugs cause a DEFINITE risk to acute haemolytic anaemia? (acronym SON)
Quinolones, nitrofurantoin, sulphonamides
Which drugs cause a POSSIBLE risk to acute haemolytic anaemia? (Acronym SAQC)
Quinine, Sulphonylureas, chloroquine, aspirin >1g
Which drugs are used for hypoplastic and haemolytic anaemias?
anabolic steriods, pyridoxine, antilymphocyte immunoglobulin, rituximab and various corticosteriods
Before treating iron deficiency anaemia, what underlying causes should be ruled out?
gastric erosion, GI cancer
Which pts is prophylaxis iron prep used for?
menorrhagia, malabsorption, pre-term neonates, haemodialysis, pregnancy (iron and folic acid combo)
What is the elemental iron dose for iron-deficiency anaemia?
100-200mg daily
What is the choice of preparation decided by for iron?
incidence of s/e and cost
What are the side effects of iron?
GI irritation, constipation, diarrhoea, black discolouration of stools
What are the counselling points for someone taking iron?
best absorbed on empty stomach but can be taken with food to decrease GI effects, take with vitamin C (orange juice) to increase absorption.
How else is iron administered?
parenterally as iron dextran (CosmoFer) or Iron Sucrose (venofer)
Who can be given parenteral iron?
reserved for those who can tolerate oral iron such as chemotherapy-induced anaemia, chronic renal failure
How is the dose given for iron?
according to patient weight and iron deficit
What does the MHRA/CHM advice about injectable iron?
serious hypersensitivity reactions including life threatening and fatal anaphylactic reactions with IV iron. Pts should be closely monitored for at least 30 minutes after every administration.
Risk of hypersensitivity is increased in pts with known allergies, immune or inflammatory conditions or those with hx of severe asthma, eczema or other atopic allergy.
IV iron should be avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy and used in the second or third trimesters only if the benefit outweighs the potential risks for both mother and fetus.
What causes megaloblastic anaemia?
malabsorption of B12 or folate - pernicious anaemia is one of the causes of it in the UK
In which condition is vitamin B12 prophlactically given?
In gastrectomy
What is first line treatment vitamin B12 deficiency?
Hydroxocobalamin 1mg every 3mnths by IM injection
Why has hydroxocobalamin completely replaced cyanocobalamin?
Hydroxo is retained in the body longer than cyano therefore maintenance therapy can given at intervals of up to 3 months.
What is megaloblastic anaemia?
is a condition where the bone marrow produces unusually large and abnormal RBCs causing fatigue and weakness.
What is folic acid used for?
Megaloblastic anaemia, prevention of neural tube defects, methotrexate-induced SEs
Whats the dose of folic acid?
5mg OD, max 15mg OD for 4 months, which is enough time to replenish body stores.
Why can some pts develop folate deficiency megaloblastic anaemia?
can be due to poor nutrition, pregnancy or anti-epileptic drugs so folic acid must be taken daily for 4 months - replenishes body stores
How is folic acid given for the prevention of methotrexate induced s/e’s?
5mg once weekly on a different day to MTX dose
What condition is folinic acid given?
Given as calcium folinate used with cytotoxic drugs
What dose should be given for prevention of neural tube defects of folic acid?
if at low risk take 400mcg folic acid daily before conception until week 12 pregnancy
high risk groups should take 5mg folic acid