Normocytic Anaemia

Question 1

Define normocytic Anaemia?

Answer 1

Anaemia with normal MCV ( 80-100)

Question 2

what is an acronym for the causes of normocytic anaemia?

Answer 2

MR I CALM - MR I CALM: Marrow failure, Renal failure, Iron deficiency (early), anaemia of Chronic disease (early), Aplastic anaemia (and acute blood loss), Leukaemia and Myelofibrosis.

Question 3

outline the aetiology of normocytic anaemia?

Answer 3

Acute blood loss e.g. peptic ulcer, oesophageal varices, trauma

Failure of RBC production

• Bone marrow failure or suppression e.g. aplastic anaemia, chemotherapy
• Bone marrow infiltration e.g. malignancy
• Renal failure – abnormal erythropoietic drive (erythropoietin def)
• Early stages of iron deficiency or anaemia of chronic disease
• Hypothyroidism (can be macrocytic)
• Vitamin B2 deficiency
• Vitamin B6 deficiency

Haemolysis (can be macrocytic)

Uncompensated increase in plasma volume e.g. pregnancy, fluid overload

Pooling of red cells in the spleen

• Hypersplenism e.g. portal cirrhosis

Question 4

summarise the epidemiology of normocytic anaemia?

Answer 4

common

Question 5

what are the presenting symptoms and signs of normocytic anaemia?

Answer 5

typical signs and symptoms of anaemia

• breathlessness, fatigue, conjunctival pallor

Question 6

what are the appopriate investigations for normocytic anaemia?

Answer 6

Question 7

Generate a management plan for normocytic anaemia

Answer 7

Correcting the underlying etiology

acute blood loss – earlier you lose RBC and plasma @ same rate but plasma is replaced from INS into blood vessel so this would dilute RBC count => give packed RBCs

Maybe regular blood transfusions are required etc?

Question 8

what are the complications and prognosis of normocytic anaemia?

Answer 8

depenedent on cause