Pancytopenia Flashcards
What is pancytopenia?
A haematological condition characterised by reduced counts of all three major components of the blood: erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes.
What are the three major components of blood affected by pancytopenia?
- Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
- Leukocytes (white blood cells)
- Thrombocytes (platelets)
What are the main categories of aetiology for pancytopenia?
- Decreased production
- Increased destruction
- Peripheral dilution
What are examples of conditions that can cause decreased production of blood cells?
- Leukaemia
- Lymphoma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Multiple myeloma
- Aplastic anaemia
What is aplastic anaemia?
A condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough new cells, which can be idiopathic or secondary to drugs, infections, or autoimmune disease.
What nutritional deficiencies can impair haematopeiesis?
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Iron
What is hypersplenism and how does it relate to pancytopenia?
A condition where overactivity of the spleen leads to increased destruction of blood cells, contributing to pancytopenia.
What is paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH)?
A rare acquired disorder that leads to the destruction of blood cells.
What are the types of inherited pancytopenia?
- Fanconi anaemia
- Dyskeratosis Congenita
- Shwachman-Diamond syndrome
What is Fanconi anaemia?
A rare disorder of bone marrow failure that presents as progressive pancytopenia.
What is Dyskeratosis Congenita?
A rare disorder characterised by skin pigmentation issues, nail dystrophy, oral leukoplakia, and pancytopenia.
What is the main cause of acquired pancytopenia?
- Aplastic anaemia
- Megaloblastic anaemia
- Hypersplenism
- Infections
- Chemotherapy & radiation
What is megaloblastic anaemia?
A condition due to deficiency of vitamin B12 or folate leading to ineffective erythropoiesis and subsequent pancytopenia.
What are clinical features of red cell deficiency in pancytopenia?
- Pallor
- Fatigue and weakness
- Dyspnoea
- Tachycardia
What are clinical features of white cell deficiency in pancytopenia?
- Infections
- Fever
What are clinical features of platelet deficiency in pancytopenia?
- Bleeding tendencies
- Petechiae
- Purpura
- Ecchymosis
- Haemorrhagic complications
What investigations are used to diagnose pancytopenia?
- FBC blood tests
- Bone marrow aspiration/biopsy
- Testing for cause (serology, autoimmune screen, biochemical, genetics)
What are the main steps in the management of pancytopenia?
- Diagnostic workup
- Treat underlying cause
- Supportive care (blood product transfusions, growth factor support)
Fill in the blank: A condition that leads to the immune-destruction of haematopoietic stem cells is called _______.
[Aplastic anaemia]
True or False: Megaloblastic anaemia is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D.
False
