Haemolytic Anaemia

Question 1

Definition of Haemolytic Anaemia?

Answer 1

Is the destruction of red blood cells due to inherited or acquired conditions.

Question 2

Different types of Inherited Haemolytic Anaemia?

Answer 2

Heridatory Spherocytosis
Heridatory Elliptocytosis
Thalassaemia
Sickle cell anaemia
G6PD deficiency

Question 3

Different types of Acquired Haemolytic Anaemia?

Answer 3

Auto immune Haemolytic Anaemia
Alloimmune Haemolytic anaemia
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobin
Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
prosthetic value related haemolysis

Question 4

What is hereditary spherocytosis + Elliptocytosis?

Answer 4

It is a common inherited autosomal dominant condition cause sphere shaped redblood cells that break down easily.

It presents with jaundice, gallstones, splenomegaly.

Its diagnesed with family history + spherocytes on the blood film.

Treatment is with folate supplements

Difference with spherocytosis + elliptocytosis is that

Spherocytosis = blood cells shaped like sphere

Elliptocytosis = blood cells Shaped like ellipse

Question 5

What is G6PD Deficiency?

Answer 5

Is condition where defect with G6PD red blood cell enzyme and is X linked recessive.

It is triggered by infections, medication or broad beans.

It shows jaundice, anaemia and heinz bodies on blood film.

Can be diagnosed by G6PD enzyme assay

Question 6

What is autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 6

This happens when antibodies are created against patients red blood cells. They start killing the Red blood cells. There are two types.

Warm type:

This is most common, happens at normal or above normal temperatures and happens without a cause.

Cold type:

Happens at low temperatures, antibodies attach to RBS and clump together this is called aggulation.

Question 7

Alloimmune haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 7

This is where foreign antibodies or red blood cells in the body cause an immune reaction to kill them.

This happens when body doesn’t accept transfusion or new born baby has its mothers antibodies passed to it through placenta.

Question 8

How to test for these haemolytic anaemias?

Answer 8

Full blood count

Blood film

Direct combs test positive = autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.

Question 8

How to test for these haemolytic anaemias?

Answer 8

Full blood count

Blood film

Direct combs test positive = autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.