Red Blood Cell Disorders Flashcards

1
Q

What stimulates erythropoietin synthesis?

A

Hypoxaemia
Severe anaemia
Left shift in O2-binding curve
High altitude

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2
Q

What are reticulocytes a measure of

A

They are a marker of effective erythropoesis and correct bone marrow response/function. The % count can be falsely increased in anaemia so you just correct the value.

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3
Q

Where does extramedullary haematopoesis occur?

A

Liver & spleen

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4
Q

What causes a “hair on end” skull radiograph?

A

Accelerated erythropoesis expands the bone marrow cavity. This is in response to severe haemolysis: eg sickle cell disease

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5
Q

What is polychromasia?

A

Very immature RBC: blue discoloured cell without central pallor. If seen in blood = very over reactive BM

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6
Q

What are the possible causes of iron deficiency in premature babies?

A

Loss of iron from mother’s stores

Blood loss from venipuncture

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7
Q

Why does physiological jaundice occur in newborns?

A

The unconjugated bilirubin derived from the initial destruction of of foetal RBCs. Foetal RBCs containing HbF are destroyed by splenic macrophages over 6-9 months.

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8
Q

What are the diagnostic values for thalassaemia?

A

Increased Hb and haematocrit
Increased RBCS count
Microcytic

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9
Q

What does serum iron measure?

A

Iron bound to transferrin in the serum
Decreased - anaemia of chronic disease or iron deficiency
Increased - iron overload (haemochromatosis, sideroblastic anaemia)

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10
Q

What does serum total iron-binding capacity correlate to?

A

The concentration of transferrin. The concentration if transferrin in linked to ferritin storage in macrophages: decreased stores of ferritin = increased liver synthesis of transferrin

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11
Q

Where is erythropoietin synthesised?

A

Renal cortex by the interstitial cells in the peritubulur capillary bed.

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