Haematology Flashcards
What is the iron requirement for the foetus?
300 mg
What is the main reason for mild anaemia during pregnancy?
- Increased red cell mass (120-130%)
- Plasma volume increases (150%)
Which vitamin increases iron absorption from non-haem food?
Vitamin C
Which iron supplements are prescribed for pregnant women?
Pregaday 100 mg
Prenacare 17 mg
Ferrous sulphate 65 mg (in 200mg dose).
What is the additional folate requirement during pregnancy (in mcg/day)?
Additional 200 mcg/day
When should folate supplementation be prescribed?
Before conception and for >12 weeks gestation
What is the folate supplement dose during prengnacy?
400 ug/Day
What is the definition of anaemia in pregnancy for the first trimester in Hb g/L?
<110 g/L
What are the complications of iron deficiency during pregnancy?
IUGR
Prematurity
Postpartum haemorrhage
What is the definition of anaemia in pregnancy for the second and thid trimester in Hb g/L?
<105 g/L
What is the definition of anaemia in pregnancy during the postpartum period in Hb g/L?
100 g/L
What are the physiological causes of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy?
Physiological - gestational/incidental thrombocytopenia
What is HELLP syndrome associated with?
Pre-eclampsia
What is HELLP syndrome?
Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, Low platelets
What is immune thrombocytopenia?
Isolated low platelet count
What is the first line management for early onset immune thrombocytopenia during pregnancy?
IV immunoglobulin
Review treatment options for bleeding and delivery
Steroids
What should be assessed and monitored in neonates with a history of maternal ITP?
Check cord blood and then daily (IgG antibodies can cross the placenta)
- Nadir low occurs 5 days after delivery
In neonates born with a history of maternal ITP, at what day of life does ITP occur (nadir)?
Day 5
Define microangiopathic syndromes
Deposition of platelet in small blood vessels (platelet rich thrombi)
Thrombocytopenia
Fragmentation (Schistocytes) and lysis of RBCs within the vasculature
What type of RBC is evident in MAHA?
Schistocytes
What is the leading cause of maternal mortality?
Pulmonary embolism
What risk factor is a predictor of VTE and PE during pregnancy?
BMI >25 - need to be on heparin from the first trimester
What VTE prophylaxis is administered in pregnant women with a BMI >25?
Heparin
Which prothrombotic factors are increased during pregnancy (4)?
Factor VIII
vWF
Fibrinogen
Factor VII
Which pro-fibrinolytic factors are reduced during pregnancy?
Protein S
PAI-1/2
At what stage postpartum is the highest incidence of PE?
6 weeks
What stage during pregnancy is the highest risk of PE?
First trimester
Which investigations are safe to perform during pregnancy to assess for PE?
Doppler and VQ
What is the prophylactic management pregnant women at risk of VTE?
Heparin and TED stockings
- Low molecular weight heparin
Why is low molecular weight heparin safe during pregnancy?
Does not cross the placenta,
What should be measured after the 1st trimester in obstetric patients on LMWH?
Anti-Xa
What are the complications of pregnancy associated with thrombosis?
- IUGR
-Recurrent miscarriage
-Late foetal loss
-Placental abruption
Severe PET (Pre-eclampsia)
What is the diagnostic criteria of antiphospholipid syndrome?
Recurrent miscarriage (>3)
Persistent lupus anticoagulant or anticardiolipin or antiphospholipid antibodies
What is the definition of PPH?
- > 500 mL blood loss
- 5% of pregnancies have blood loss >1 L at delivery.
What are the two major risk factors for PPH?
Uterine atony
Trauma
Define amniotic fluid embolism
- Presumed due to TF in amniotic fluid entering maternal bloodstream – sudden onset fevers, vomiting, shock, DIC.
Which serum monoclonal IgG/IgA is associated with multiple myleoma?
Paraprotein/M-spike
Excess of monoclonal (k or lambda) serum free light chains
Which two types of serum free light chains are elevated in multiple myeloma?
Kappa/lambda
Which urine monoclonal free light chain is elevated in urine in MM?
Bence jones protein
Which cell is malignant iN MM?
Plasma cells
What is the median age for MM?
67 years - incidence increases with age
Which ethnicity is most affected by MM?
Black
What is myeloma preceded by?
Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS)
Which red cell feature is observed on peripheral blood film in patients with lead poisoning, megaloblastic anaemia, and myelodysplasia?
Basophilic RBC stippling
Which red cell feature describes a sea urchin with regular spicules (often an artefact)?
Burr cells (echinocytes)
Which red cell feature is observed on peripheral blood film in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency?
Heinz bodies
Which red cell feature is observed on peripheral blood film in post-splenectomy/hyposplenism?
Howell-Jolly bodies
Howell-Jolly bodies indicate what?
Post-splenectomy or hyposplenism
Which hyposegmented neutrophil with 2 lobes is associated with myelodysplastic syndrome?
Pelger Huet Cells
Pelger Huet Cells is associated with which haematological syndrome?
Myelodysplastic syndrome
Right shift is associated with haematological disorder?
Megaloblastic anaemia
Rouleaux formation is associated with what?
Multiple myeloma
Which characteristic cell type is associated with microangiopathic anaemia and DIC?
schistocytes
Target cells are associated with what?
Liver disease, hyposplenism, thalassaemia, IDA
What is the anaemia threshold for men?
<135 g/L
What is the anaemia threshold for women?
<115 g/L
What are the symptoms of anaemia?
- Fatigue, dyspnoea, faintness, palpitations, headache, tinnitus, anorexia.
Which murmur is associated with anaemia?
Ejection systolic murmur (loudest over apex)
A high MCV anaemia is associated with what cause of anaemia?
Decreased production of RBCs e.g., folate and B12 deficiency
What are the causes of microcytic anaemia?
Thalassaemia
Anaemia of chronic disease
Iron deficiency anaemia
Lead poisoning
Sideroblastic anaemia
What are the causes of normocytic anaemia?
Acute blood loss
Anaemia of chronic disease
Bone marrow failure
Renal failure
Hypothyroidism
Haemolysis
Pregnancy
What are the causes of macrocytic anaemia (FATRBC)?
Fetus (pregnancy)
Antifolates (e.g. phenytoin)
Thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Reticulocytosis (release of larger immature cells e.g. with haemolysis)
B12 or folate deficiency
Cirrhosis (Alcohol excess or liver disease)
Myelodysplastic syndromes
What are the signs of iron deficiency anaemia?
Koilonychia, atrophic gastritis, angular cheilosis, post-cricoid webs (Plummer–Vinson Syndrome); brittle hair and nails.
Plummer Vinson syndrome is associated with which haematological condition?
Iron deficiency anaemia
What blood film finding is associated with iron deficiency anaemia?
Microcytic, hypochromic, anisocytosis, poikilocytosis pencil cells
What are the commonest cause of blood-loss related iron deficiency anaemia?
– Meckel’s diverticulum (older children)
– Peptic ulcers / Gastritis (chronic NSAID use)
– Polyps/colorectal Ca (most common cause in adults >50yrs)
– Menorrhagia (women <50 yrs)
– Hookworm infestation (developing countries)
What is the management for a patient >60 years with IDA?
Referred for 2ww colorectal cancer pathway
What is the 1st line management for IDA?
Oral ferrous sulphate
What are the side effects associated with iron sulphate supplementation?
Nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea/constipation, black stools.
What is the management of IDA in sepsis and severe infection?
Blood transfusions
Which inflammatory markers are associated with down-regulating EPO receptor production?
IFNs, TNF and IL-1
Il-6 stimulates the production of which hormone in anaemia of chronic disease?
Hepcidin
What role/effect does hepcidin have?
Reduces gastrointestinal iron absorption (transferrin inhibition) + iron accumulation in macrophages
What are the common causes of anaemia of chronic disease?
- Chronic infection e.g., TB, osteomyelitis.
- Vasculitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Malignancy
What are ring sideroblasts?
Non-haem iron in mitochondria
Ring sideroblasts are associated with what?
Ineffective erythropoiesis - hemosiderosis
What are the causes of sideroblastic anaemia?
- Myelodysplastic disorders, following chemotherapy, irradiation, alcohol excess, anti-TB drugs, or myeloproliferative disease.
Which drug is used to treat sideroblatic anaemia?
pyridoxine
What is pyridoxine?
Vitamin b6
TIBC in IDA?
Raised
Ferritin level in IDA?
Low
TIBC in anaemia of chronic disease?
Low
Ferritin level in anaemia of chronic disease?
Raised
TIBC in hereditary haemochromatosis?
Low
Ferritin level in hereditary haemochromatosis?
Raised
What is the TIBC in pregnancy?
Raised
Transferrin saturation reflects what?
Serum iron
Which TIBC % is indicative of iron deficiency?
<20%
What type of protein in ferritin?
Acute phase protein
A low reticulocyte in pancytopenia is indicative of what?
Aplastic anaemia/bone marrow failure syndromes e.g., Fanconi Anaemia/dyskeratosis congenita
What are the sources of vitamin b12 (cobalamin)?
Red meat, dairy, and eggs
What autoantibody is associated with pernicious anaemia?
Anti-intrinsic factor antibodies
Pernicious anaemia is associated with reduced absorption of vitamin B12 from which part of the gastrointestinal tract?
Terminal ileum
Which cell secretes intrinsic factor?
Parietal cells
What are the three main causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Gastric bypass (inadequate parietal cells)
Achlorhydria-induced malabsorption
Terminal ileum disease - Crohn’s disease, ileal resections, bacterial overgrowth, topical sprue, tapeworm
Which mouth signs are associated with vitamin B12 deficiency?
Glossitis, angular cheilosis
What are the neuropsychiatric findings associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Irritability, depression, psychosis, and dementia
What are the neurological findings are associated with vitamin B12 deficiency?
Paraesthesia, peripheral neuropathy
What is the most common cause of macrocytic anaemia in Western countries (aged >40 years)?
Pernicious anaemia – autoimmune atrophic gastritis – achlorhydria
What are the specific investigations performed for suspected pernicious anaemia?
Parietal cell antibodies (90%), intrinsic factor antibodies (50%); Schilling Test.
What is the management for dietary-associated vitamin B12 deficiency?
Replenish stores with IM hydroxocobalamin (B12) in 6 injections over 2 weeks
What is the management for autoimmune-associated with Vitamin b12 deficiency?
3-monthly IM injections
What markers are raised in haemolytic anaemia?
Unconjugated bilirubin
Urobilinogen
LDH
Reticulocyte count
What marker is low in intravascular haemolytic anaemia?
Haptoglobin
What is Methaemalbuminaemia ?
Haem + albumin in blood
Where does extravascular haemolytic anaemia occur?
Spleen - removal in reticuloendothelial system
What are the consequences of of haemolysis?
Erythroid hyperplasia state
Increased folate demand
Anaemia
Reticulocyte count
What is the inheritance pattern of G6PDD?
X-linked
Which class of drugs are associated with potentiating G6PDD?
Oxidative drugs:
- Drugs can induce haemolytic anaemia.
- Dapsone
- Primaquine (Antimalarials)
- Sulphonamides (Antibiotics)
- High-dose aspirin
- Exposure to fava/broad beans and mothballs
Which class of ABx is associated with G6PDD?
Sulphonamides
Which clinical manifestation is associated with intravascular haemolysis?
Dark urine - indicative of haemoglobinuria
What two types of findings are detected on a peripheral blood smear in G6PDD?
1 - Bite cells
- Heinz bodies
Define Heinz bodies?
Fragments of denatured oxidised haemoglobin
Define bite cells?
Hemi-ghosts, nucleated RBCs, blister cells
What is the management of acute haemolysis associated with G6PDD?
Acute haemolysis - supportive care with folic acid
* Haemoglobin <70 g/L – Blood transfusion.
Neonatal jaundice - phototherapy
What is the inheritance pattern with pyruvate kinase deficiency?
Autosomal recessive - mutation in chromosome 1q21
What is the role of pyruvate kinase in RBCs?
PK converts phosphoenolpyruvate to pyruvate - decreases RBC ATP production
What is the consequence of decreased RBC ATP production in pyruvate kinase deficiency?
Decreases RBC ATP production (intracellular potassium + water loss) - Extravascular haemolysis.
Why is there a blueberry muffin rash in pyruvate kinase deficiency?
Indicative of extramedullary haemopoesis
What is the neonatal presentation of pyruvate kinase deficiency?
- Hyperbilirubinaemia and anaemia
- Worsening pallor in the first week
- Poor suckling
- Lethargy and poor weight gain
- Neonatal jaundice
- Kernicterus
- Blueberry muffin rash – indicates extramedullary haemopoiesis.
What characteristic finding is associated with pyruvate kinase deficiency in older children?
Hepatosplenomegaly
What is the inheritance pattern of sickle cell disease?
Autosomal recessive
Which codon is implicated in sickle cell disease?
Codon 6 of the beta-globin chain of human haemoglobin
What single amino acid substitution is associated with sickle cell disease?
Glu to Valine
(GAG to GTG mutation)
What triggers polymerisation of haemoglobin in RBCs in sickle cell disease?
Deoxygenation
Sickle cell disease is protective of what?
falciparum malaria
Which ethnicity is a risk factor of sickle cell disease?
Afro-Caribbean ethnicity
What is the genotype of sickle cell anaemia?
HbSS (Homozygous)
What is the genotype of sickle cell trait?
HbAs - asymptomatic except under stress e.g., cold, exercise
What is the consequence of deoxyHbs?
Results in damaged membrane cytoskeleton - vaso-occlusion
What are the two severe forms of sickle cell disease?
- Sickle-haemoglobin C disease
- Sickle B thalassaemia
What is the diagnostic investigation of sickle cell disease?
- Electrophoresis + sickle solubility test
Which test at birth is suggestive of sickle cell anaemia?
Guthrie test at birth
What cell types are observed in sickle cell diseae?
Sickle and target cells
What vasculopathy is associated with sickle cell disease?
Moyamoya diseae
What are the cardiorespiratory complications associated with sickle cell disease?
Acute chest syndrome
Sickle cell disease is predisposed to which viral infection?
Parvovirus b19
What is the first presenting symptom in children for sickle cell disease?
Dactylitis
When does HbF switch to HbS?
Between 6 and 12 months
When does splenic dysfunction occur in sickle cell disease?
<Age of 5 years
What are the clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease in teenagers?
Impaired growth, gallstones, priapism, cognitive impairment (reduction in IQ due to silent cerebral infarction).
What is the acute management for sickle cell crises?
Analgesia e.g., paracetamol, NSAIDs, fluids and rest
- Strong opiate analgesia if severe pain risis
- Exchange transfusion for severe acute chest syndrome
What is the management for priapism in sickle cell disease?
Oral alpha-adrenergic agents (etilefrine) and analgesia + fluids
What prophylactic vaccinations is administered for chronic sickle cell disease?
Pneumococcus (pneumovax), meningococcus, and haemophilus
Which ABx is prescribed as part of the chronic management for sickle cell disease?
Penicillin V
What monitoring investigation is recommended in children with sickle cell disease?
Transcranial Doppler Screening
What intervention is administered to children to reduce the risk of stroke in sickle cell disease?
Exchange transfusion to maintain HbS <30%
Which drug indicated in the management of sickle cell disease is associated with increasing foetal haemoglobin?
Hydroxycarbamide
What class of drug is Crizanlizumab ?
An anti-P selectin agent
Which sickle cell disease drug is associated with reducing the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises?
- Crizanlizumab – An anti-P selectin agent
What is the mechanism of action of voxelotor in the management of sickle cell disease?
Inhibits polymerisation of haemoglobin and reduces haemolysis
Which drug indicated in the management of sickle cell anaemia is associated with the following mechanism: ‘Inhibits polymerisation of haemoglobin and reduces haemolysis’?
voxelotor
What is the definitive management of sickle cell disease?
Haematopoeitic stem cell transplantation
Beta-thalassaemia causes which type of anaemia?
Microcytic anaemia resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis
What is the effect of beta-thalassaemia on alpha-globin chains?
Excess of unmatched alpha-globin chains
What are the three types of beta-thalassemia?
Major, intermediate, minor
What is the inheritance pattern of beta-thalassaemia?
Autosomal recessive
When does symptoms occur in beta-thalassasemia?
3-6 months of life (decline of HbF and increased production of Hba)
What is the genotype of beta thal intermedia?
B thal B thal (+)
What is the genotype of beta thal major?
B thal B thal (0)
What are the clinical manifestations associated with beta-thalassaemia?
- Lethargy
- Abdominal distension
- Failure to gain weight and height.
- Pallor
- Spinal changes – osteopenia related to iron overload and marrow expansion in vertebral bodies.
- Large head
- Frontal and parietal bossing
- Chipmunk facies
- Misaligned teeth
- Hepatosplenomegaly
- Jaundice
o Iron overload gonadal and heart failure.
What is the complication of alpha-thalassaemia (foetal)?
Bart’s hydrops fatalis
What is the characteristic red cell type associated with beta-thalasssaemia?
Tear drops
On plain x-ray of skull - finding associated with beta-thalassaemia?
- Widening of diploeic space, facial deformity.
What is the gold-standard investigation for beta-thalassaemia?
Haemoglobin Electrophoresis - Raised A2
What is the management for beta-thalassaemia trait?
Genetic counselling and iron advice
What is the management for beta-thalassaemia intermedia?
- Transfusions at times of symptomatic anaemia
- Serial measurement of liver iron concentration (LIC) over time to measure iron loading and chelation therapy.
o Deferasirox
o Desferrioxamine
What is the management for beta-thalassaemia major?
- Regular red cell transfusions and iron chelation therapy
Which cell type is affected in multiple myeloma?
Plasma cells
Which urine monoclonal free light chain is associated with multiple myeloma?
- Bence Jones Protein
Which monoclonal serum free light chains are raised in multiple myleoma?
Kappa or lambda
What two processes occur in germinal centres regarding B-Cells?
Somatic hypermutation
Class switch recombination
Multiple myeloma is preceded by which condition?
- Monoclonal Gammopathy of Uncertain Significance (MGUS)
What is the diagnostic threshold for Serum M-protein for MGUS?
<30 g/L
What is the diagnostic threshold for bone marrow clonal plasma cells for MGUS?
<10%
What are the three risk factors associated with MGUS?
- Non-IgG M-spike
- M-spike >15g/L
- Abnormal serum free light chain (FLC) ratio
Smouldering myeloma is associated with a serum monoclonal protein level of what?
> 30 g/L
What is the IMWG updated risk stratification model for smouldering myleoma?
- Spike >20 g/L
- Serum FLC Ratio >20
- Bone marrow myeloma cells >20%
What are the diagnostic features associated with smouldering myleoma?
M spine >3 g/dL
Urinary M protein >500 mg
PC >10%
No CRAB criteria
What uninvolved SFLC ratio is associated with myleoma?
> 100
What type of amyloidosis can occur at any stage of multiple myeloma, MGUS etc?
AL amyloidosis
What are the primary events associated with multiple myeloma?
- Hypodiploidy – additional number of chromosomes
- IGH rearrangements
- t(11;14) IGH/CCND1
- t(4;14) IGH/FGFR3
- t(14;16) IGH/MAF
Which cell type is implicated in stimulating bone resorption in multiple myeloma?
Osteoclast activation
What are the CRAB criteria associated with multiple myeloma?
- Hypercalcaemia – Calcium >2.75 mmol/L
- Renal disease – Creatinine >177 mol/L or eGFR <40 ml/min
- Due to myeloma light chain deposition.
- Anaemia – Hb <100 g/L or drop by 20g/L
- Bone disease
- One or more bone lytic lesions in imaging
Which spinal complication is associated with multiple myleoma?
Metastatic spinal cord compression
and spinal mets
Which imaging modality is implicated in multiple myeloma for bone disease?
- Whole-body diffusion-weighted MRI
What is the first line investigation for suspected metastatic spinal cord compression in MM?
Spinal MRI
What is the first line management for MSCC?
Dexamethasone
What is the first line management for hypercalcaemia in MM?
o Management (1st line): IV fluids + IV bisphosphonates (zoledronic acid) + steroids.
What are the clinical manifestations associated with hypercalcaemia in MM?
- Calcium (Hypercalcaemia) – Thirst, moans, groans, stones, bones – constipation, muscle weakness, AKI.
What is the serum creatine threshold for renal failure in MM?
Serum Creatinine >177 umol/L
eGFR threshold for renal failure in MM?
eGFF <40 mL/min.
What is the cause of renal failure in multiple myeloma?
o Cast nephropathy is caused by high serum free light chains and BJP deposition in the proximal tubule cells.
Site of serum free light chain and BJP deposition in cast nephropathy?
Proximal tubule cells
Serum free light chains and BJP interact with which molecule, resulting in PCT obstruction?
Uromodulin
What is the most common precipitating factor of renal failure in MM?
Dehydration from vomiting and diarrhoea (MOST COMMON); infection; and toxicity of antibiotics.
what are the complications of bone disease in multiple myeloma?
Pathological fractures .e.g, wedge compression, pepper pot skull
What are the infective complications associated with multiple myeloma?
Reactivation of Herpes Zoster
What is the diagnostic investigation of multiple myeloma?
- Serum protein electrophoresis (Dense band of monoclonal protein, often IgG or IgA) (2/3rd monoclonal Ig light chain in urine – IgG > IgA)
What blood film finding is seen in multiple myeloma?
Rouleaux stacks
On bone marrow aspiration and biopsy - which finding is seen?
> 10% plasma cells
What CD markers are raised in MM?
CD38, CD138
Why is rituximab ineffective in multiple myeloma?
Rituximab targets CD20 - therefore cannot be used for B-cell depletion
What is the high risk translocation in myeloma?
t(4;14)
What term describes Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma ?
Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia
What is the staging criteria for multiple myeloma?
Durie-Salmon Staging System.
What is the first line management for multiple myeloma?
- Cytostatic drugs (alkylating agents) = High dose Melphalan 200mg/m2 impregnated in autologous SCT.
What are alkylating agents (mechanism)?
Nitrogen derivatives that add alkyl groups to DNA
What drug is impregnated in Autologous Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for multiple myeloma?
Mephalan
What class of drug is Bortezomib?
Proteasome inhibitor
Proteasomes regulate misfolded protein production through which process?
ER-associated degradation