haematology conditions Flashcards
what is haemoglobin below in anaemia
haemoglobin below lower limit of normal
F= 110-147g/L
M=131-166g/L
what does MCH mean
MCH= mean cell haemoglobin- amount of haemoglobin in each cell
hypochromic= less haemoglobin than normal
normochromic= normal amount of haemoglobin in each cell (27-33pg)
what does MCV stand for and how is anaemia classified based on cell size
MCV= mean cell (corpuscular) volume
microcytic (smaller than norm)=iron deficiency, thalassemia, sideroblastic
normocytic (norm=80-98fl)= sickle cell, G6PDH deficiency, hereditary spherocytosis, autoimmune haemolytic, malaria, non-haemolytic
macrocytic (larger than norm)= folate deficiency, B12 deficiency, haemolysis, bone marrow disorders
name four types of microcytic anaemia
iron deficiency
sideroblastic
alpha thalassaemia
beta thalassaemia
name 6 types of normocytic anaemia
autoimmune haemolytic
G6PDH
hereditary spherocytosis
malaria
sickle cell
non-haemolytic anaemia
name 2 types of macrocytic anaemia
B12 deficiency (pernicious anaemia)
Folate deficiency
how much iron does an average adult require per day and where is it absorbed
15mg/day, approx 1mg/day absorbed- needed for haemoglobin synthesis
absorbed in duodenum + upper jejunum
what kind of anaemia is iron deficiency
microcytic anaemia, size of RBCs= <80
-most common anaemia
what is iron bound to when it is a. stored and b. transported in the blood to tissues
iron is stored as Fe 2+ bound to ferritin
-converted to Fe3+ and carried by transferritin in blood
causes of iron deficiency anaemia
blood loss via: heavy periods, GI blood loss (H.pylori infection), hookworm
dietary insufficiency- children + vegetarians
poor iron absorption= coeliac disease/IBD, gastric surgery resulting in less HCl production
increased iron requirements, eg pregnancy, growth in children
pathology of iron deficiency anaemia
iron molecule required for O2 binding in haemoglobin (check iron notes)
- therefore iron deficiency = impaired haemoglobin production
not enough haemoglobin 4 normal sized RBC> bone marrow pumps out microcytic, hypo chromic (pale) RBCs
microcytic RBCs can’t carry enough O2 to tissues= hypoxia > signals bone marrow 2 increase RBC production> bone marrow pumps out incomplete RBCs
presentation of iron deficiency
kolionychia (spoon-shaped nails)
atrophic glossitis (enlarged tongue)
angular stomatitis (dry skin, ulceration @ mouth corners)
pica (eating things which aren’t food)
hair loss
restless leg syndrome
gastric stricture
general anaemia:
-fatigue
-pallor
-shortness of breath
-palpitations
-chest pain
-tachycardia
-exertional dyspnoea
investigations for iron deficiency
FBC: low MCV + MCHC + Hb
blood film =microcytic hypochromic RBCs
Fe studies:
serum Fe-low
serum ferritin- low
TIBC= (high)- used as marker for how much transferrin Is in the blood
high transferritin
bone marrow biopsy- absent iron stores
endoscopy if 60 + (look at cause of GI bleeding)
management of iron deficiency
treat underlying cause
oral iron supplements- ferrous sulphate
side effects= nausea, diarrhoea, constipation
IV iron if oral poorly tolerated (ferric gluconate)
blood transfusion if severe
define sideroblastic anaemia
anaemia characterised by smaller than normal RBCs due to impaired haemoglobin production
what kind of deficiency causes sideroblastic anaemia and what do the RBCs look like
X linked ALA synthase deficiency
-causes bone marrow to produce ringed sideroblasts
investigations for sideroblastic anaemia
FBC + blood film= microcytic with ringed sideroblasts + basophilic stippling
Fe studies= increased serum Fe, high ferritin, high transferritin, low TIBC
what is folate deficiency anaemia (include type)
anaemia caused by folate (vit B9) deficiency
macrocytic megaloblastic anaemia- <95
causes of folate deficiency
malnutrition
malabsorption
increased demand (pregnancy)
drugs/toxins (methotrexate)
risk factors for folate deficiency
elderly
poverty
alcoholic
pregnant
Crohn’s or coeliac disease
how much folate is required per day and where is it absorbed
0.1-0.2 mg/day required
absorbed in proximal jejunum
pathology of folate deficiency
folate= required for DNA/RNA synthesis
DNA impairment will have largest affect on bone marrow since it’s most active in cell division- leading to pancytopenia
-in response, bone marrow releases megaloblasts
-megaloblast= not good at carrying O2, can get stuck in BM, destroyed early
other rapidly dividing cells affected, eg epithelial cells in tongue, prevents healing (glossitis)
can cause neural tube defects- spina bifida
presentation of folate deficiency
angular stomatitis
glossitis
symptoms of ischaemic heart disease or stroke
general anaemia:
pallor
fatigue
chest pain
shortness of breath
palpitations
investigations for folate deficiency
FBC- high MCV
blood film- macrocytic, megaloblastic RBC, HYPERSEGMENTED NEUTROPHILS
vit B12 levels = normal
serum + RBC folate levels= low
GI investigations
management of folate deficiency
which foods contain folate
treat underlying cause
folic acid supplements- always give alongside B12, folic acid supplements + B12 deficiency can cause neurological disease
fortifying foods= grains, cereals, green veg
what are normal B12 levels and where is it found + absorbed
normal B12= 197-771ng/L
exclusively found in animal derived products: meat,, fish, eggs dairy
absorbed in ileum- must bind 2 intrinsic factor produced by gastric parietal cells
what kind of anaemia is B12 deficiency
macrocytic megaloblastic anaemia
causes of vit B12 deficiency
lack of B12 in diet (veganism)
pernicious anaemia
malabsorption eg Crohn’s
inadequate release of B12 from food eg gastritis, alcohol abuse
zollinger-ellison syndrome
pathology of vit B12 deficiency
vit B12 (cobalamin)= essential 4 DNA synthesis in cells undergoing rapid proliferation
-therefore bone marrow is affected- pancytopenia >bone marrow compensates by producing macrocytic megabalstic RBCs
B12 keeps levels of methylamonic acid low (can cause neurological damage):
-peripheral neuropathy
-subactue degeneration of the cord
-focal demyelination
describe pernicious anaemia
vit B12 deficiency as a result of autoimmune destruction of the gastric epithelium- due to antibodies against parietal cells or intrinsic factor which prevent absorption of B12
overtime patients with PA develop gastric inflammation, which may lead to gastric atrophy
presentation of vit B12 deficiency
general anaemia=
pallor
fatigue
palpitations
shortness of breath
tachycardia
chest pain
glossitis
lemon-yellow skin
CNS involvement:
personality change
depression
memory loss
visual disturbances
paraesthesia
ataxia
loss of vibration or sense of proprioception
bladder/bowel dysfunction
investigations for vit B12 deficiency
what is positive in pernicious anaemia
FBC=
raised MCV
blood film- megaloblastic anaemia + hyper segmented polymorphonuclear cells
gold=
serum B12- decreased
pernicious anaemia: both intrinsic factor antibody + gastric parietal cell antibody positive
management of vit B12 deficiency
and pernicious anaemia
for dietary deficiency- oral B12 (cyanocobalamin)
for pernicious anaemia- oral = inadequate because problem is absorption- B12 injections, 1mg IM hydroxocobalamin 3x weekly for 2 weeks
define alpha thalassemia
autosomal recessive defect causing a deficiency in the production of alpha globin chains of haemoglobin
microcytic anaemia (MCV<80)
risk factors for alpha thalassemia
FHx
Middle Eastern, south asian, African decent
causes of alpha thalassemia
AT= autosmal recessive therefore needs 2 genes to cause disease
-either partial or complete deficiency on alpha globin chains due to mutations in 4 alpha genes on chromosome 16
-usually deletion
pathology of alpha thalassemia with 1 and 2 defective alpha genes
1 defective alpha gene= silent carrier
2 defective alpha genes= alpha thalassemia minor (can be either cis or trans mutation) - mild symptoms
pathology of alpha thalassemia with 3 defective genes
3 defective genes= Haemoglobin H disease (HbH)
-unable to form alpha chains- excess of beta chains
beta chains clump together 2 form tetramers (HbH)
HbH= causes hypoxia through haemolysis + have a high affinity for O2 so don’t release it to tissues
pathology of alpha thalassemia with 4 defective genes
4 defective genes= Hb Barts
-people with 4 gene deletions die in utero because gamma chains form tetramers>v high affinity with O2>tissues get no O2 therefore severe hypoxia> high output cardiac failure + massive hepatosplenomegaly >oedema all over body- hydros fetalis
investigations for alpha thalassemia
1st + GOLD
1st= FBC
-low Hb
-low MCV
blood film= microcytic, hypo chromic RBCs, TARGET CELLS look like BULLSEYES, golf-ball like RBCs, RBC count increased
gold=
Hb electrophoresis (diagnostic)- looks for presence of HbH and Hb Bart
DNA testing for genetic abnormality
management of alpha thalassemia
1st= blood transfusions
iron chelation 2 prevent iron overload
folate supplementation
splenectomy
stem cell transplant
complications of alpha thalassemia
iron overload- due 2 regular transfusions
pregnancy comps
osteopenia
hypersplenism
define beta thalassemia
autosomal recessive defect leading to a deficiency in the production of B-globin chains of haemoglobin
microcytic anaemia (MCV <80)
risk factors for beta thalassemia
mediterranean, africa and south East Asian
FHx
mutations causing beta thalassemia
describe minor, intermedia and major B thalassemia
BT caused by either partial or complete beta-haemoglobin chain deficiency due to point mutation in beta-globin gene on chromosome 11
autosomal recessive= 2 mutations needed to develop disease
1 gene mutation codes for reduced/absent beta-globin production= beta thalassemia minor (carrier)
2 genes that code for reduced beta-globin chains= beta thalassemia intermedia (marked anaemia)
2 genes that code for absent beta-globin chains= beta thalassemia major (severe anaemia)
pathology of beta thalassemia
beta globin chain deficiency causes accumulation of free alpha-globing chains in RBCs > damages RBC cell membrane > causes haemolysis in bone marrow or destruction of RBCs in spleen
haemolysis leads 2 hypoxia as there are fewer RBCs to carry oxygen- signals bone marrow + liver + spleen to increase RBC production> causes enlargement of these organs
presentation of beta thalassemia
minor=asymptomatic
major= symptoms appear in 1st year of life bc foetal haemoglobin is still used in early months
hepatosplenomegaly
jaundice
chipmunk facies
swollen abdomen
bone abnormalities
low weight + height
general anaemia symptoms
investigations for beta thalassemia
including gold
1st=
FBC- low Hb, low MCV
blood film- microcytic hypochromic RBCs
-target cells= small RBCs that look like bullseyes
reticulocytosis
gold=
Hb electrophoresis- low HbA, high HbF + HbA2
x-ray- ‘hair on end’
management of beta thalassemia
1st= recurrent blood transfusions for major and intermedia with worse symptoms
iron chelation (deferoxamine) 2 prevent iron overload
splenectomy
ascorbic acid- increases iron excretion
consider stem cell transplant
complications of beta thalassemia
iron overload
leg ulcers
gallstones
define sickle cell anaemia
autosomal recessive mutation in the beta chain of haemoglobin resulting in sickle shaped RBCs and haemolysis
what type of anaemia is sickle cell anaemia
normocytic haemolytic anaemia
MCV= 85-95, RBCs are destroyed faster than they are made
epidemiology of sickle cell anaemia
most common in sub-saharan Africa due 2 its advantage against p. falciparum (i.e protective against malaria)
risk factor for sickle cell anaemia
4 triggers of sickling
family history- autosomal recessive
triggers of sickling=
dehydration
acidosis
infection
hypoxia
cause of sickle cell anaemia
single point mutation in the beta-globin gene causing amino acid replacement at the 6th codon from glutamic acid to valine- changes the structure of the beta chain
1 mutation= sickle trait (carrier)- no health problems unless exposed 2 extreme conditons eg altitude or dehydration
pathology of sickle cell anaemia
sickle cell disease patients have abnormal HbS isoform consisting of 2 alpha + 2 abnormal beta chains
under physiological stress, eg hypoxia, sickled HbS polymerises, distorting RBC into sickle shape > deformed RBCs can cause vast-occlusion or slow blood flow
what are stressors inducing sickling in sickle cell disease patients
hypoxia
acidosis
infection
cold temps
dehydration
what does repeated sickling of RBCs do
damages the RBC membrane + promotes premature haemolysis- causing anaemia
bone marrow + liver compensate for haemolysis by producing more RBCs >causes bone deformities and hepatomegaly
presentation of sickle cell anaemia
chronic symptoms:
pain
general anaemia symptoms
related to haemolysis: jaundice and gallstones
symptoms due 2 crisis-
splenic sequestration crisis
vaso-occlusive crisis
acute chest crisis
describe a splenic sequestration crisis
splenic sequestration crisis= RBCs sickle `= block blood flow out of spleen- blood remains in spleen causing- splenomegaly (enlarged and painful spleen)
describe vaso-occlusive crisis
vaso-occlusive crisis= sickled RBCs block capillaries blood flow to bones, dactylitis- swelling and pain of hands + feet, pain crisis, avascular necrosis of bones
describe acute chest crisis
acute chest crisis= pulmonary vaso-occlusion causing fever, cough, dyspnoea, hypoxia, respiratory distress
investigations for sickle cell anaemia
primary=
screening- Guthrie heel prick test @ 5 days
FBC-anaemia
blood film: reticulocytosis,Hb 60-80g/L, increased RBCs, sickled cells, Howell-Jolly bodies, sickle cell solubility test (positive)
gold=
haemoglobin electrophoresis- sickle cell= presence of HbS,
no HbA
sickle trait= HbA + HbS
acute management of sickle cell anaemia
IV fluids and O2
antibiotics (chest crisis or infection)
NSAIDs for bone pain
long term management of sickle cell anaemia
avoid precipitating factors
pain management
hydroxycarbamide- increases levels of HbF- protective against sickling
lifelong phenoxymethylpenicillin due 2 risk of infection due 2 hyposplenism + autosplenectomy
blood transfusion + iron chelation to prevent iron overload
stem cell transplant
define autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
including type of anaemia
normocytic haemolytic
autoantibodies target + cause haemolysis of RBCs
what are warm and cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia each mediated by
WARM weather= Great, IgG
COLD weather= miserable, IgM
what test is positive in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Coombs test= positive
management of warm + cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
warm=
prednisolone
immunosuppressants
blood transfusions if severe
cold=
supportive tx
warm blood transfusion
rituximab (in resistant cases)