Haemolytic Anaemia

Question 1

What is haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 1

Abnormal breakdown of RBCs

Question 2

What is intravascular haemolysis?

Answer 2

Breakdown of RBCs within blood vessels

Question 3

What is extravascular haemolysis?

Answer 3

Breakdown of RBCs in spleen or RES

Question 4

What is the normal lifespan of an RBC?

Answer 4

120 days

Question 5

What are the symptoms of haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 5

Pallor
Tiredness
Jaundice
Splenomegaly

Question 6

What are inherited causes of haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 6

Pyruvate kinase deficiency
G6PDH deficiency
Hereditary spherocytosis
Sickle cell

Question 7

What are acquired causes of haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 7

Mechanical damage 
Antibody damage - autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Oxidant damage
Heat damage
Enzymatic damage

Question 8

How are autoimmune haemolytic anaemias classified?

Answer 8

Warm

Cold

Question 9

What is warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 9

IgG - maximally active at 37 degrees

Question 10

What is cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 10

IgM - maximally active at 4 degrees

Question 11

What are some key lab results in haemolytic anaemias?

Answer 11

Increased reticulocytes
Increased bilirubin
Increased LDH