RBC: Congenital Anaemias Flashcards
What is anaemia?
Reduction in red cells or their haemoglobin content?
What is the aetiology of anaemia?
- Blood loss
- Increased destruction
- Lack of production
- Defective production
What substances are essential for red cell production in marrow?
- Iron
- B12
- Folic acid
- Erythropoietin
Where does red cell breakdown occur?
Reticuloendothelial system by macrophages in the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, lungs etc.
What are the products of red cell breakdown?
Globin
-Amino acids reutilised
Haem
- Iron reutilised
- Haem converted to bilirubin (bound to albumin in the plasma, unconjugated)
What are the components of the erythrocyte?
- Membrane
- Enzymes
- Haemoglobin
What types of genetic defects can cause congenital anaemias?
Genetic defects described
- In red cell membrane
- In metabolic pathways (Enzymes)
- In haemoglobin
What do most genetic defects of RBC/haemoglobin result in?
Reduced RBC survival by haemolysis
How do carried states of congenital anaemias present?
Often silent: asymptomatic
What maintains the shape of RBC?
Skeletal proteins
What do defects in skeletal proteins leads to?
Increased cell destruction
How is hereditary spherocytosis inherited?
Most common form is autosomal dominant
What is the hereditary spherocytosis?
Defects in 5 different structural proteins described
- Ankyrin
- Alpha Spectrin
- Beta Spectrin
- Band 3
- Protein 4.2
What is the pathogenesis of hereditary spherocytosis?
- Red cells are spherical
- They are removed from the circulation by the RE system (extravascular)
How does hereditary spherocytosis present?
- Anaemia
- Jaundice (neonatal)
- Splenomegaly
- Pigment gallstones
How is hereditary spherocytosis treated?
- Folic acid (increased requirements)
- Transfusion
- Splenectomy
Give examples of rare membrane disorders.
- Hereditary Elliptocytosis
- Hereditary Pyropoikilocytosis
- South East Asian Ovalocytosis
What are 2 importance enzyme pathways in RBCs?
Glycolysis
-Provides energy
Pentose phosphate shunt
-Protects from oxidative stress
What is the most common red cell metabolism disorder?
Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
What does Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) do?
Protects red cell proteins (Haemoglobin) from oxidative damage
- Produces NADPH - Vital for reduction of glutathione
- Reduced glutathione scavenges and detoxifies reactive oxygen species
Why are there high rates of G6PD deficiency in malarial areas?
Confers protection against malaria
What is the inheritance of G6PD deficiency?
X linked
- Affects males
- Female carriers
What types of RBC do you get in G6PD deficiency?
- Blister cells
- Bite cells