Oncology and haematology Flashcards
In what ethnicity is iron deficiency anaemia in children most common?
Those from the Indian subcontinent
What is the daily iron requirement for children and toddlers?
High - 1mg/kg/day
How is iron deficiency anaemia diagnosed in children?
Hypochromic microcytic anaemia + low serum ferritin
How is iron deficiency anaemia managed in children?
Dietary advice + oral iron replacement therapy for 3/12
What are the broad causes of anaemia?
- Decreased/difficulty in red cell production
- Increased red cell destruction
- Combination of causes, e.g. anaemia of prematuirty
- Blood loss (uncommon)
What are the causes of decreased red cell production?
- Iron deficiency anaemia
2. Red cell aplasia
What are the different causes of red cell aplasia?
- Congenital red cell aplasia
- Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC)
- Parvovirus B19 infection
What are the causes of increased red cell destruction?
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Thalassaemia
- Isoimmune
- Immune haemolytic anaemia
- G6PD
- Sickle cell disease
How is sickle cell disease inherited?
Autosomal dominant
What are the complications of sickle cell disease?
- Bacterial infection
- Acute chest syndrome
- Priapism
- Strokes
How is G6PD inherited?
X-linked, therefore usually affects males, but can affect females
What are the precipitants of haemolysis in G6PD?
- Infection
- Certain drugs
- Fava beans (broad beans)
- Naphthalene in mothballs
How is hereditary haemolysis treated?
Folic acid + splenectomy if symptomatic
How is hereditary haemolysis diagnosed?
Blood film
How is hereditary haemolysis inherited?
Autosomal dominant, but in 25% of cases there is no FHx