Iron deficiency anaemia Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of iron deficiency anaemia?

A

↓ red blood cell count due to ↓ iron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How common is iron deficiency anaemia?

A

Common

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the pathophysiology of iron deficiency anaemia?

A
  • Fe is required for the formation of the haem in haemoglobin, myoglobin, haem enzymes and cytochromes
  • Normal to lose a small amount each day in faeces, skin cells and mucosa
  • Iron is absorbed in the jejunum and stored in the form of ferritin
  • If more iron lost than absorbed, iron stores used up = deficiency
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the risk factors/aetiology of iron deficiency anaemia?

A
  • Blood loss e.g. menorrhagia/GI bleed
  • Poor diet – mainly in children
  • Special diet
  • Poverty
  • Malabsorption e.g. coeliac disease
  • Tetracyclines/quinolones – neither iron of antibiotic is absorbed
  • Antacids/PPI – impairs absorption as raises Ph
  • Phytate (wholegrain cereals, nuts etc), polyphenols (tea/coffee), calcium – impair iron absorption
  • Partial/total gastrectomy
  • H.pylori – impairs iron uptake
  • Hookworm – in the tropics
  • GI carcinoma
  • Times of rapid growth in children - ↑ requirements
  • Pregnancy - ↑ requirements
  • Exfoliative skin disease - ↑ requirements
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the signs/symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia?

A
  • Koilonychia – spoon shaped nails
  • Atrophic glossitis
  • Angular cheilosis – ulcerations in the corner of the mouth
  • Pale conjunctiva
  • Pale skin
  • Pale palmar creases?
  • Tiredness
  • SOB
  • Palpitations
  • Headache
  • Changes in hair/hair loss
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What investigations are carried out for suspected iron deficiency anaemia?

A
  • FBC – microcytic hypochromic anaemia, ↓ MCV, MCH and MCHC
  • ↓ Serum Ferritin
  • ↑ Red cell protoporphyrin
  • Gastroscopy – GI bleed
  • Signmoidoscopy – GI bleed
  • Colonoscopy – GI bleed
  • Stool microscopy - hookworm
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the pharmacological treatments for iron deficiency anaemia?

A
  • Blood transfusion

* Ferrous sulfate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the non pharmacological treatments for iron deficiency anaemia?

A

• Iron rich diet e.g. green vegetables, meat, raisins, prunes etc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly