Haem - ITP, Aplastic Anaemia Flashcards

1
Q

Immune (or idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) - what is it?

A

Autoimmune disease of unknown cause where the number of circulating platelets is reduced

Antibodies are directed against the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa or Ib-V-IX complex

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2
Q

ITP - how doe sit present in children and adults?

A

In adults more of a chronic condition

In children - usually acute thrombocytopenia following infection or vaccination

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3
Q

ITP in adults - what is the clinical presentation?

A

Symptomatic patients:

  1. petichae, purpuric rash (non-blanching rash)
  2. bleeding (e.g. epistaxis)
  3. catastrophic bleeding (e.g. intracranial) - not common

Can be found incidentally on routine bloods

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4
Q

ITP in adults - management?

A

1st LINE - Oral Prednisolone

Pooled normal human immunoglobulin (IVIG) - raises platelet count faster than steroids, so use in active bleeding or urgent invasive procedure

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5
Q

Aplastic Anaemia - what is it?

A

Characterised by pancytopenia and a hypoplastic bone marrow

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6
Q

Aplastic Anaemia - peak age of incidence?

A

30 years old

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7
Q

Aplastic Anaemia - clinical features?

A

NORMOCHROMIC, NORMOCYTIC ANEMIA

leukopenia, with lymphocytes relatively spared

thrombocytopenia

may be the presenting feature acute lymphoblastic or myeloid leukaemia

a minority of patients later develop paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria or myelodysplasia1.

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8
Q

Aplastic Anaemia - causes?

A

idiopathic

drugs: cytotoxics, chloramphenicol, sulphonamides, PHENYTOIN, gold
toxins: benzene
infections: parvovirus, hepatitis

radiation

congenital: Fanconi anaemia, dyskeratosis congenita

STOP OFFENDING AGENT ONCE DETECTED

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