Haemolytic anaemia

Question 1

Causes of inherited HA

Answer 1

Hereditary spherocytosis/ hereditary elliptocytosis (membrane defect)
GP6D deficiency/ pyruvate deficiency (enzyme defect)
Sickle cell / Thalassemia (haemogobinopathies)

Question 2

Causes of acquired HA

Answer 2

Autoimmune (warm or cold)
Alloimmune (haemolytic transfusion reactions)
MAHA
Infections (malaria)
Mechanical (metal valves, trauma)

Question 3

inheritance for hereditary spherocytosis and hereditary elliptocytosis

Answer 3

autosomal dominant (spectrin mutations) except Hereditary Pyropoikilocytosis (erythrocytes are abnormally
sensitivity to heat)

Question 4

Investigations to diagnose hereditary spherocytosis

Answer 4

spherocytes in blood film
-ve DAT test
lysis in hypotonic solutions

Question 5

treatment of Hereditary Spherocytosis

Answer 5

splenectomy
folic acid

Question 6

inheritance of GP6D deficiency

Answer 6

X-linked

Question 7

symptoms of GP6D deficiency (intravascular haemolysis)

Answer 7

rapid anaemia
jaundice
dark urine

Question 8

triggers for GP6D deficiency

Answer 8

drugs (primaquine,sulfonamides, aspirin)
broad beans
moth balls

Question 9

investigations to diagnose GP6D deficiency

Answer 9

bite cells with Heinz bodies (blood film)