Hemoglobinopathies Flashcards
Describe the pathophysiology of thalassemia
Decreased production of alpha and beta globins leads to imbalance of globins
Excess globins precipitate and damage RBC membrane leading to ineffective erythropoesis.
This causes:
1. Anemia
2. Bone marrow expansion
3. Extramedullary hematopoesis
4. Increased intestinal iron absorption
Hemoglobin E
glu to lys change on position 26 of B chain
E trait - microcytic, targets
E disease - mild microcytic anemia, target
EB+ - beta thal minor to NTDT
EB0 - NTDT or TDT
When to initiate chelation?
What are chelation targets?
When:
- 150-200ml/kg transfused
- LIC >5-7
- Ferritin 1000
Targets:
- ferritin between 1500-2000
- LIC < 7
- T2* > 20ms
List 4 indications for DNA testing for hemoglobinopathy. For what hemoglobinopathies is DNA testing available?
Alpha thal
High-affinity hemoglobins
Unstable hemoglobins
Pregnancy counselling
Indications for chronic transfusion
Severe anemia
Growth failure
Extramedullary haematopoesis
Improve quality of life
in sickle trait patients what is the expected amount of HbS?
35-45% HbS
what vessels in the brain are commonly associated with acute stroke in SS disease?
large arteries in the circle of willis, usually distal internal carotid artery, middle cerebral and anterior cerebral artery
for an SS patient with neurologic symptoms, what is the first step in management?
a CT with no contrast-this will detect any hemorrhage, but may not be positive for an acute infarction for 6h
what is the required treatment for an SS patient with stroke?
exchange transfusion to reduce HbS level to less than 30%
what TCD values suggest a chronic transfusion program should be started?
When ACA velocity is >200, or if there’s silent infarcts and or cerebral blood vessel stenosis seen on MRI
when should a child with priapism be seen in the ER
if lasting for >2hrs
when is the highest prevalence of splenic sequestration?
between ages of 5 months-24months
what is the management of splenic sequestration crisis?
- normal saline bolus
- RBC transfusion, do in small aliquots, because of the autotransfusion phenomenon that happens (spleen releases trapped RBCs)
- pain management
when should splenectomy be considered in children with splenic sequestration?
if there’s history of one major event or 2 minor splenic sequestrations
for children <2yrs chronic transfusion therapy can be considered to postpone splenectomy
in SS disease and SC disease by what age does the spleen involute?
by 6mths in SS
by 4yrs in SC