Haematology/Oncology

Question 1

How would you define Iron Deficiency Anaemia?

Answer 1

Haemoglobin <11g/dL in the presence of microscopic cells

Question 2

What can cause IDA?

Answer 2

• Rapid growth
• Poor diet
• Coeliac disease
• Excess cow’s milk
• Recurrent bleeding
• Thalassaemia

Question 3

What can be a sign of IDA?

Answer 3

• Developmental delay

Question 4

Which blood tests would you perform to test for IDA?

Answer 4

• FBC
• Ferritin
• Hb levels

Question 5

Where do childhood brain tumours commonly present?

Answer 5

Brainstem

Cerebellum

Question 6

What are the most common forms of brain tumour in children?

Answer 6

• Astrocytomas

- Medulloblastomas

Question 7

Give 3 signs of a neuroblastoma

Answer 7

• Abdominal mass
• Periorbital bruising
• Skin nodules

Question 8

What is a Wilms’ tumour?

Answer 8

Nephroblastoma

Question 9

What is the main genetic risk factor for Wilms’ tumour?

Answer 9

Trisomy 8

Question 10

What is the most common childhood malignancy?

Answer 10

Leukaemia - acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Question 11

What is ALL?

Answer 11

Malignant proliferation of cell precursors in bone marrow

Question 12

Give 7 signs/symptoms for leukaemia/lymphoma

Answer 12

• Malaise
• Anaemia
• Bruising
• Anorexia
• Bone pain
• Hepatosplenomegaly
• Lymphadenopathy

Question 13

What is haemophilia?

Answer 13

X-linked condition caused by a shortage of components of the coagulation cause

Question 14

What signs would present in a child with haemophilia?

Answer 14

Excessive bruising while crawling

Question 15

Which clotting factor is absent in Haemophilia A?

Answer 15

FVIII

Question 16

Which clotting factor is absent in Haemophilia B?

Answer 16

FIX

Question 17

What investigations would you perform to test for haemophilia?

Answer 17

Prolonged APTT

PT is normal

Question 18

Give 5 symptoms of sickle cell disease

Answer 18

• Anaemia
• Jaundice
• Short stature
• Frontal bossing
• Hepatosplenomegaly

Question 19

What causes Thalassaemia?

Answer 19

• Autosomal recessive
• Deficiency of alpha or beta haem groups
  Replaced by HbF

Question 20

What is the main sign for thalassaemia?

Answer 20

Anaemia

Question 21

Which thalassaemia is more dangerous for a baby?

Answer 21

• alpha

- Hydrops foetalis and death

Question 22

What is the management for thalassaemia?

Answer 22

• Regular blood transfusion

- Vitamin C and folic acid supplementation

Question 23

What investigation is sued to screen for sickle cell disease?

Answer 23

Guthrie test