Pancytopenia Flashcards
1
Q
What is pancytopenia?
A
Deficiency in all 3 major blood components:
- anaemia
- leukopenia
- thrombocytopenia
2
Q
What are the 3 main mechanisms of developing pancytopenia?
A
Reduced production - marrow failure
Increased destruction - sepsis, AI
Sequestration due to hypersplenism
3
Q
What are the main causes of bone marrow failure?
A
Malignant infiltration - haem malignancy - bony metastases Aplastic anaemia Megaloblastic anaemia (B12/folate deficiency can rarely lead to bone marrow failure)
4
Q
What are the causes of aplastic anaemia?
A
Idiopathic in 60% –> AI attack against haemopoetic stem cells
Drugs
Congenital e.g. Fanconi’s anaemia
Viruses e.g. parovirus B19, EBV, CMV, HIV, HBV
5
Q
Which drugs cause aplastic anaemia?
A
Chemotherapy, RT Benzene Gold Penicillamine Sulphonamides Chloramphenicol
