Normocytic anaemia Flashcards
how much iron do we need in our diets / day? and how much of that can be absorbed?
15mg, 1mg absorbed
Where in the digestive tract is iron absorbed?
duodenum
upper jejunum
what are the two main blood loss causes of iron deficiency?
GI bleeding
menstrual bleeding
what does ferritin do?
keeps iron (ferret)IN the cells
what does transferrin do?
transfer iron around the body
what vitamin helps with iron absorption?
C
How can normocytic anaemias be divided?
- haemolytic (e.g sickle cell)
- non-haemolytic
What’s the mode of inheritance of sickle cell anaemia?
AR
When a baby is born, what ratios are they producing HbA to HbF?
Around 50/50
What gene is affected in sickle cell anaemia? (inc. chromosome no.)
abnormal gene for beta globin
chromosome 11
How many copies of the abnormal gene would someone with sickle cell trait have?
Just one copy. usually asymptomatic.
Why is the sickle cell gene more prevalent in areas with Malaria?
Sickle cell trait reduces a person’s chances of dying from malaria, and so there is a selective advantage to having the sickle cell gene.
When is sickle cell tested for in newborns?
at five days old using the heel prick test
what things can trigger a sickle cell crisis? (4 things)
infection
cold
dehydration
stress
What is the diagnostic test for sickle cell anaemia?
Hb electrophoresis
What shape are red blood cells in hereditary spherocytosis
sphere shaped
what mode of inheritance is hereditary spherocytosis?
autosomal dominant
what happens in hereditary spherocytosis?
- RBCs are sphere shaped
- makes them fragile
- destroyed when passing through the spleen
what is an aplastic crisis of hereditary spherocytosis?
- increased haemolysis
- leads to jaundice and anaemia
- no corresponding increase in RBC production by bone marrow
what virus can commonly cause an aplastic crisis in hereditary spherocytosis?
what three things give a diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis?
- family history
- clinical features
- spherocytes on blood film
what blood cell will be raised in hereditary spherocytosis?
reticulocytes (due to high RBC turnover)
treatment for hereditary spherocytosis?
- folate supplements
- splenectomy
where does furosemide act on the nephron?
ascending limb of the loop of Henle
what does the G6PDH in G6PDH deficiency stand for?
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
what pattern of inheritance is G6PDH deficiency?
X-linked recessive
what happens in G6PDH deficiency?
- lack of G6PDH enzyme
- G6PDH is protective of RBCs (stops build up of reactive oxygen species in RBCS)
- lack of G6PDH leads to haemolysis
most people with G6PDH deficiency are asymptomatic, however triggers can bring on symptoms. Give three triggers
- infections
- medications
- foods e.g broad beans
treatment for G6PDH deficiency episodes?
- treatment of cause of episode
- consider blood transfusion
signs and symptoms of an episode of G6PDH deficiency? (give four)
- jaundice
- dark urine
- SOB
- tiredness
what happens in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
what are the two types of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
what’s an alternate name for cold type autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
what happens at less than 10 degrees in cold type autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
what four things can be done for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?
what are the two main types of non-haemolytic normocytic anaemias we should be aware of?
why does CKD cause normocytic anaemia?
what’s the diagnostic test for aplastic anaemia?
how can aplastic anaemia be treated?
