haematology

Question 1

types of crises in sickle cell disease

Answer 1

1) thrombotic crisis (painful crisis)
2) aplastic crisis - no production of rbcs by bone marrow so low reticulocytes
3) acute chest syndrome - chest pain
4) sequestration crisis - rbcs sequestrated in spleen so increased reticulocytes since increased production to compensate for seq.
and more but these are some main

Question 2

what is the pathophysiology and genetics of sickle cell anaemia

Answer 2

one HbS allele instead of two HbA alleles so its a autosomal recessive condition (when people only carry it they can develop symptoms but only in severe hypoxia)

Question 3

what population is sickle cell trait more common in

Answer 3

in poeple of african descent since it protects against malaria

Question 4

when to sickle cell symptoms develop in life

Answer 4

usually at 4-6 months since foetal haemoglobin is replaced by regular haemoglobin in this case with sickle cell deformity

Question 5

diagnostic tool of sickle cell anaemia

Answer 5

haemoglobin electrophoresis
usually picked up in newborn blood screen in some countries

Question 6

treatment of sickle cell anaemia

Answer 6

pain management (opioids)
antibiotics for stuff like underlying infection in ACS
transfusions