Condition- Aplastic Anaemia

Question 1

Define aplastic anaemia

Answer 1

A haematological condition characterised by pancytopenia and hypoplastic bone marrow

Question 2

State an inherited cause of Aplastic Anaemia

Answer 2

Fanconi’s Anaemia

Question 3

State an infective cause of Aplastic Anaemia

Answer 3

Parvovirus B19 (also causes aplastic crisis in SCD= only anaemia)

Question 4

List some causes of Aplastic Anaemia

Answer 4

• Idiopathic = most common
• Acquired
  
  • Drugs- sulphonamides, chloramphenicol, methotrexate
  • Radiation
  • Chemicals (benzene)
  • Infection (parvovirus B19)
• Inherited= Fanconi’s Anaemia

Question 5

Briefly describe the pathophysiology of Aplastic Anaemia

Answer 5

Autoimmune destruction of haematopoetic stem cells in the bone marrow

Question 6

List some of the sign and symptoms of Aplastic Anaemia

Answer 6

• Symptoms of Anaemia: SOB, fatigue
• Symptoms of Thrombocytopenia: increased bleeding, bruising, petechiae, echymyoses, menorrhagia
• Symptoms of Neutropenia: increased risk and severity of infection
• No hepatosplenomegaly, no lymphadenopathy

Question 7

What would you see in an FBC of someone with Aplastic Anaemia?

Answer 7

Low RBC, low WCC, low platelets

Low MCV, HIGHHH EPO, low reiculocytes

Question 8

Why might you conduct a blood film and bone marrow biopsy for someone with suspected aplastic anaemia?

Answer 8

To rule out leukaemia: no abnormal cells or blasts, no dyplastic changes

Question 9

List some of the signs and symptoms of Fancoi’s anaemia

Answer 9

• Short stature
• Microcephaly
• Developmental delay
• Cafe au lait spots
• Hypo/dysplastic thumb