HAEMATOLOGY Flashcards
What are the components of Hb?
Fe
Globin chains - Beta, Alpha
Define anemia according to age
Neonates - <14g/dL
1 to 12M - <10g/dL
1 to 12yrs - < 11g/dL
Causes of Anemia
- Reduced RBC production
BM Failure-Leukemia, Infections
Malnutrition - Fe def, Folic acid Def, B12 def - Increased destruction
Enzyme - G6PD Def
Membrane - Hereditary spherocytosis, Hereditary Elipsocytosis
Hb - Thallesemia, Sickle Cell Anemia
Antiboides - Autoimmune, ABO - Blood Loss
Parasites - Hookworm
GIT - Meckel Diverticulum
GUT - Menstrual bleeding
Raw materials of Hb Production
Fe
Vit B12
Folic Acid
What is the most common cause of Anemia in SL? Why?
Fe Def Anemia
Poverty - Less consumption of Fe containing food
Parasites
Tea Consumption - Tannin inhibits Fe absorption
Poor Knowledge about Fe containing food
Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
Poor Intake
Malabsorption
Blood loss
Hook Worm
C/F of IDA
Pallor
Glossitis
Koilonychia - Spoon shaped nails
In Severe anemia - Breathlessness, HF features
Food to avoid in excess in toddlers to prevent IDA
Cow’s milk
Tea - Tannin inhibits Fe absorption
High fibre food - Phytates inhibit Fe aborption
Ix for IDA
FBC - Low Hb
Blood Picture - Microcytic, hypochromic (MCV, MCH) cells. Aniscocytosis (Different shapes), Poikilocytosis (Different Sizes), Red cell Distribution Width (RDW) is high
S. Feritin is low
Causes of microcytic anemia
IDA
Thalassemia
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Sideroblastic anemia
What vitamin increases Fe absorption?
Vit C
What are the differences between IDA and Thalassemia Minor?
IDA - RDW is high, S. Feritin is low
Thalassemia Minor - RDW normal, S. Ferritin is high
IDA Mx
Mx depends on the severity and the cause
If anemia is severe, with breathlessness and HF features - Blood transfusion
Otherwise blood isn’t required
If underlying cause is malnutrition - Dietary advice: Eat fish, meat, green leafy vegetables
Rx worm infections
All IDA patients must be supplemented with Fe - Ferrous sulphate - 6mg/kg/day.
Should continued until after 3 months Hb returns to normal levels.
IV Fe if patient has malabsorption
Efficacy of Oral and IV Fe is the same. T/F?
T
What is Thalasemia?
A genetic disorder where abnormal alpha and beta globin chain production occurs.
Percentages of children of parents with thalassemia genes
25% - Healthy
50% - Carriers
25% - Diseased: Thalassemia Major
Pathophysiology of Beta Thalassemia
Autosomal recessive. If both parents have the gene, the child will inherit.
Beta globulin chain production is abnormal/less.
Alpha chains will bind with Gamma to form HbF.
Alpha chains will bind with Delta to form HbA2.
Red blood cells containing abnormal Hb will be destroyed in the spleen causing anemia.
What is done to identify the different types of Hb?
Hb electrophoresis
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
C/F of a child with Thalassemia
Pale
Jaundice - Due to increased bilirubin (hemolysis)
Thalassemic facies - Frontal bossing, prominent maxilla, protruding teeth.
Hepatosplenomegaly
Short stature
Poor academic performance
What is the reason for Thalassemic facies and hepatosplenomegaly?
Its due to the increased production of Hb to compensate anemia
Rx of Thalassemia
Blood Transfusion
Side effect of the Rx of thalassemia
Fe overload