Hematological and Immunological Dysfunction Flashcards
anemia
condition in which the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin concentration is reduced below normal values for gender and age. This diminishes the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, causing reduction in oxygen available to tissues
most common hematological disorder of infancy and childhood
not a disease itself but manifestation of underlying pathological process
anemia classifications
classified according to etiology or physiology, manifested by erythrocyte or hemoglobin depletion, morphology, the characteristic changes in RBC size, shape, or colour
etiology or physiology: decreased RBC production, increased RBC loss, increased RBC destruction
morphology: cell size (anisocytosis) - normocytes 0 normal, microcytes - small, macrocytes - large; cell shape (poikilocytosis) - spherocytes (globular), drepanocytes (sickle cell), numerous other irregularities; colour - normochromic (sufficient or normal hemoglobin per RBC), hypochromic (reduce hemoglobin per RBC), hyperchromic (increased hemoglobin per RBC)
iron deficiency anemia
oral iron should be given in two divided doses between meals, when the presence of free hydrochloric acid is greatest since more iron is absorbed in an acidic environment. iron supplement should not be taken with milk. adequate dosage of iron turns stool tarry green.
sickle cell anemia
SCA is one of a group of disease collectively term hemoglobinopathies, in which adult hemoglobin A is completely or partially replaced by sickle cell hemoglobin S. for as long as the fetus has hemoglobin F (fetus hemoglobin) the cells do not start sickling - therefore, neonate asymptomatic for SCA until fetal Hgb replaced by sickle Hgb
3 most common forms of sickle cell disease
sickle cell anemia - HgbSS; homozygous form of the disease
sickle cell-c disease - heterozygous form of SCD, includes both HgbS and HgbC
sickle thalassemia disease - combination of sickle cell trait and beta thalassemia trait (SB-thal), B+ refers to the ability to still produce some normal hemoglobin; B0 indicates no ability to produce normal hemoglobin
sickle cell anemia: pathophysiology
clinical features result of obstruction caused by sickled RBC, vascular inflammation, and increased RBC destruction. meshing of sickled RBC caused vaso-occlusion, resulting in tissue hypoxia, tissue ischemia and infraction (cellular death), effect of sickling occurs in this order; statis with enlargement, infraction with ischemia and repeated destruction, replacement with fibrous tissue (scarring)
Crises in Sickle Cell Anemia
vaso-occlusive crisis - ischemia causing mild to severe pain that last from minutes to days
sequestration crisis - pooling of large amount of blood; usually in spleen or liver; that causes a decreased blood volume and shock
aplastic crisis - diminished RBC production caused by viral infection
hyperhemolytic crisis - accelerated rate of RBC destruction characterized by anemia, jaundice, and reticulocytosis
SCA severity indicators
Manifestations that appear in the first two years of life can be predictors of disease severity. These include elevated WBC count, painful episodes, and severe anemia
Beta Thalassemia (cooley Anemia)
deficiencies in the rate of production of specific globin chains in the hemoglobin. occurs in four formation:
two heterozygous forms - thalassemia minor, an asymptomatic silent carrier; thalassemia trait, produces mild microcytic anemia
thalassemia intermedia, manifested as splenomegaly and moderate to severe anemia
homozygous form, thalassemia major (cooleys anemia) which results in severe anemia that leads to cardiac failure and death in early childhood without transfusions
beta thalassemia pathophysiology
partial or complete deficiency in the synthesis of the beta chain of the hemoglobin molecule. consequently, there is a compensatory increase in alpha chain production and gamma chain remains active, resulting in defective hemoglobin formation. when the defective hemoglobin disintegrates it damaged RBC, resulting in anemia.
beta thalassemia transfusion therapy
advantages of therapy include improved physical and psychological wellbeing bc of ability to participate in normal activities, decreased cardiomegaly and hepatosplenomegaly, fewer bone changes, normal or near normal growth and development until puberty, and fewer infection
complication of frequent transfusion is iron overload due to the body having no effective method of disposing of excess iron and so it stores it back into body tissues (hemosiderosis) - chelation therapy given to counter iron overload
aplastic anemia
bone marrow failure condition in which the formed elements of the blood are simultaneously depressed. peripheral blood smear indicates pancytopenia, which is the triad of anemia - reduced RBC - leukopenia - reduce WBC - and thrombocytopenia - reduce platelets. Hypoplastic anemia is characterized by profound depression of RBC, but minor depression of WBC and platelets. commonly found in congenital disorder Fanconi amenia
Tx for aplastic anemia
therapy directed at restoring bone marrow function and takes two approaches; immunosuppressive therapy to remove the presumed immunological functions that prolong aplasia or replacement of the bon marrow through transplant. HSCT is also considered
hemophilia
group of bleeding disorders in which there is a deficiency in one of the factors necessary for coagulation of blood (vascular influence, platelet role, or clotting factors). two most common forms of the disorder are factor VIII deficiency, Hemophilia A or Classic hemophilia, and Factor IX deficiency (hemophilia B or Christmas disease). von Willebrand disease is another hereditary bleeding disorder characterized by the deficiency, abnormality, or absence of the von Willebrand factor protein and a deficiency of factor VIII.
Hemophilia A pathophysiology
deficiency in Factor VIII needed for formation of thromboplastins in phase 1 of blood coagulation. Individuals with hemophilia A have vascular influence and platelet, but lack clotting factors, therefore, they may bleed for longer periods, but not at a faster rate. most frequent type of internal bleeding with hemarthrosis - bleeding into joint space (knees, elbows, ankles, etc).
