Haematology Conditions Flashcards
What can cause Iron deficiency anaemia?
blood loss (menorrhagia or GI bleeding), Poor diet, increased demands (pregnancy) or malabsorption
What are RF for iron deficiency anaemia?
females, underdeveloped country, pregnancy, premature infants
What symptoms would you expect in iron deficiency anaemia?
fatigue, headaches, palpitations, pallor, brittle hair and nails, spoon-shaped nails, angular stomatitis
What lab results do you order and what results do you expect in iron deficient anaemia?
Order FBC and film (microcytic and hypochromic, poikilocytosis), serum iron (total iron binding capacity rises), serum ferritin, serum soluble transferrin receptors (increased)
How do you treat iron deficiency anaemia?
Treat the cause, ferrous sulphate or if SE bad give ferrous gluconate
- extreme cases give IV iron
What are causes of folate deficiency?
poor dietary intake, increased demand, malabsorption or antifolate drugs (methotextrate)
What are the RF for folate deficiency?
elderly, alcoholic, pregnant, Crohn’s or coeliac
How does folate deficiency present?
Can be asymptomatic or present with general anaemia symptoms, glossitis (sore red tongue)
no neurological involvement (distinguish from B12)
What tests might you order and what results do expect in folate deficiency?
FBC and film (macrocytic and megaloblastic), low serum and red cell folate, serum bilirubin may be raised
How do you treat folate deficiency?
Treat underlying cause and give folic acid tablets
What causes sickle cell anaemia?
Genetic defect results in sickle cell Hb (Hbs) which causes anaemia
Recessive single gene mutation replaces glutamic acid with valine in the beta-globin chain
What is the difference between sickle cell anaemia and sickle cell trait?
If only one genetic copy is affected it is called sickle cell trait
What is the pathophysiology of sickle cell?
Triggering factors (hypoxia, infection etc) can cause polymerisation of Hbs, leading cells to become ridged and deformed: occlusion and adherence to endothelium, decreased oxygen affinity
How does sickle cell present and what lab results would you expect?
Presents with skeletal pain, chest pain, dactylits (swollen hands), features of anaemia and failure to thrive
elevated reticulocyte count, visual change on blood film, cloudy solubility test, electrophoresis shows Hbs (not HbA)
What tests would you order to test for sickle cell?
DNA assay, FBC and film, Hb electrophoresis, solubility test
What complications can sickle cell have?
anaemia, chronic pain, cardiac failure, gallstones
How do you treat sickle cell disease?
Prevention of crisis is key: avoid dehydration, coldness, exhaustion and smoking
Hydroxyurea (decreases adhesion), L-glutamine (reduces sickling and analgesic
Blood transfusions
What are two types of haemolytic anaemia
Extravascular destruction: immune targeting by antibiotics
Intravascular: lysis or direct trauma
What is haemolytic anaemia?
Umbrella term for conditions that result in premature destruction of RBC
what causes haemolytic anaemia?
hereditary (sickle cell or enzyme deficiencies) or acquired (autoantibodies, drugs, infections, pregnancy)
How does haemolytic anaemia present?
pallor, fatigue, jaundice, shortness of breath
What tests would you order to test for haemolytic anaemia?
FBC and smear, MCHC, reticulocyte count, bilirubin, Coombs test for autoantibodies
what lab results would you expect in haemolytic anaemia?
ow Hb, increased MCHC (Hb concentration), elevated bilirubin, increased reticulocyte percentage, coombs can be positive or negative
How do you treat haemolytic anaemia?
Inherited cause: folic acid Coombs positive (autoimmune): folic acid, corticosteroids
What causes B12 deficiency?
dietary, malabsorption and pernicious anaemia
what is pernicious anaemia?
B12 deficiency with an autoimmune cause: parietal cells are attacked causing loss of intrinsic factor
what are RF for B12 deficiency?
elderly, female, metformin use, pregnancy, northern European, chronic GI disease
How does B12 deficiency present?
Insidious onset (storage can last up to 4 years): general anaemia symptoms, light yellow skin (pallor and light jaundice), red sore tongue, angular stomatitis very low levels can cause neurological signs such as progressive weakness, symmetrical paresthesia, hallucinations or psychiatric problems
What do you have to differentiate B12 deficiency from?
Folate deficiency as folic acid can contribute to deficiency
What labs do you order and what results do you expect in B12 deficiency?
FBC and film (macrocytic and megaloblastic, oval macrocytes, neutrophil polymorphs), serum bilirubin, serum B12, intrinsic factor antibodies
How do you treat B12 deficiency?
Treat cause (if not pernicious): if dietary give oral B12, if malabsorptive give injections replenish stores with IM hydroxocobalamin
What causes DVT?
change to Virchow’s triad i.e. surgery, prolonged immobility, medications
what is Virchow’s triad?
Factors important in the development of veinous thrombosis:
change of blood flow (stasis)
change of blood constituents and change to endothelium (damage)
What are FR for a DVT?
bedridden, major surgery in last 12 wks, active cancer, age, pregnancy, Protein C or S deficiency, obesity, smoking
How does a DVT present?
calf swelling, localised pain and prominent superficial veins (can progress to PE before presenting)
What do you use to assess likelihood of having a DVT or PE?
well’s score: above 2 means likely
What tests do you order in a DVT?
venous ultrasound and D-dimer, LFT, FBC, clotting screen
What are differentials of DVT?
cellulitis and calf muscle tear
What lab results do you expect in a DVT?
D-dimer elevated, abnormal doppler ultrasound and abnormal B-mode image (lumen of vein cannot be compressed)
what is the order of events if well’s score indicates likely?
- ultrasound (if you can do within 4 hours)
2 otherwise do d-dimer and then anticoagulation - try and do an ultrasound within 24 hours)
what is the order of events if well’s score indicates unlikely?
- D-dimer (within 4 hours)
- If it takes longer than 4 hours give anticoagulation while waiting
- if positive do ultrasound
- if negative stop anticoagulant
How do you treat a DVT?
LMWH for 5 days followed by edoxaban
What is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
Monoclonal proliferation of lymphoid stem cells (lymphoblasts) in bone marrow (can be B or T)
What are RF for ALL?
young children, down syndrome, radiation exposure
How does ALL present?
abrupt onset: anaemia, thrombocytopenia, bone pain, lymphadenopathy, fatigue, hepatosplenomegaly
What tests would you order for ALL?
FCB and smear, bone marrow aspiration and Lumbar puncture
What results would you expect in ALL?
increased WCC, presence of lymphoblasts, if there is more than 20% of lymphoblasts in bone marrow it confirms the diagnosis
How do you treat ALL?
Treat with aggressive chemo (dexamethasone+
vincristine+
daunorubucin+
cyclophosphomate)
Good prognosis in children