Sickle Cell Anemia/Hemophilia Flashcards
What are sickle cell syndromes caused by?
Inherited disorder of of the B-globin gene
(HbA is normal)
-the alpha chains are normal but there is a substitution of valine for glutamic acid on the beta chains.
What is HbF?
Fetal hemoglobin
- 2 alpha chain and 2 gamma chains
- it is less likely to sickle
What is sickle cell trait?
Heterozygous =HbAS
- usually asymptomatic (sometimes can see symptoms at times of high stress or at high altitudes)
- carriers
If both mother and father have SCT, what are the changes their child will have SCD, SCT, or normal
25% SCD
50% SCT
25% normal
How is SCD distributed racially and geographically?
- more common in blacks and hispanics
- common worldwide but especially in Africa, India, Saudi Arabia and Mediterranean countries
What is the genotype of sickle cell disease (SCD)?
Homozygous HbSS
What are genral long term complications of SCD?
- chronic organ damage
- cognitive impairment
- frequent hospitalizations
- school and work difficulties
How do RBCs differ in SCD and what problems does this cause?
RBCs are bioconcave
- problem because RBC cannot get through microvasculature=impair circulation
- causes clotting and sludging
- sickled hemoglobin polymerization-fibrin=hard edges
- causes membrane damage
- abnormal shape=marked for destruction
- stasis of blood flow
What the clinical manifestations of SCD?
- impaired circulation
- destruction of RBCs
- stasis of blood flow
How is hemoglobin solubility affected by SCD?
In the oxygenated state it is the same, but in the deoxygenated state-the HbS is less soluble= see fibrin deposition
What is the cause of sickled RBCs?
In the deoxygenated state, the solubility of HbS is lowered and the RBC becomes unstable and goes into the sickled state
- for a while it will cycle between the two shapes but eventually becomes damaged and looses its flexibility and the cell becomes permanentally sickled
- this is when you start to see obstruction of blood flow
What is an irreversibly sickled cell? What happens when cells become irreversibly sickled?
- continual replications of shape causes loss of membrane flexability and fibrin deposits and eventually the cell becomes permanently sickled
- this leads to slow blood flow through microcirculation and causes the sickled cells to adhere to endothelial cells= tissue damage=release of tissue factor=release of platlets= clotting cascade=further complicates circuation problems
- this further increases blood flow obstruction
How does SCD affect the RBC life span and how will this show up on labs?
The lifespan is much shorter (goes from a few months to 16-20 days)
- low Hb on labs
- body recognized not normal and markers for destruction
How does SCD affect the spleen and what is the result of this?
Obstruction of blood to spleen causes functional asplenia
- this increases susceptibility to infection
- spleen is generally what cleans out RBCs marked for destruction so it can get very large = spleen not working as well=increased risk for infection
- too busy destorying marked RBCs
Why do people with SCD tend to have coagulation abnormalities and bleeding events
- as sickle cells cause damage to microvasculature, tissue factor is being release and overconsumption of clotting factor
- at risk for bleeding events
What types of infection are those with SCD especially susceptible to?
-encapsulated organisms
(pneumococcal bacteria)
-group B strep
-Haemophilis influenzae
When does SCD present and what does it present as?
Within first year of life= Typically 4-6 months after birth (that’s how long HbF takes to change to S)
- labs=hemolytic anemia- continually drop
- vaso-occlusion=pain and swelling in hands and feet
How are children typically diagnosed with sickle cell disease?
genetic screening at birth
- typically don’t have to present with problems
- get on therapies early
What symptoms will someone with SCD present with if not previously screened
- pallor
- fever
- arthralgia
- abdominal pain
- weakness/fatigue (hemolytic anemia)
- anorexia
What are some clinical findings you would see in SCD?
- enlargement of liver, spleen and hear from sequestered blood cells
- hematuria (blood in urine)
- low Hb
- elevated reticulocytes-body trying to make up
- elevated WBC/platlets from stress
- will see sickled RBC in peripheral blood
How is SCD generally treated?
- no cure except bone marrow transplant-but most don’t do it
- disease modifying therapies
- preventive medical interventions
- supportive care-role of pharmacist- pain meds
What are the goals of SCD therapy?
-important to start early and to see specialists
-reduce hospitalizations and complications
-increase life span
(average=42-48)
What are important immunizations for those with SCD?
Pneumococci (prevnar-PCV13 between age 6-18 and pnuemovax-PPSV23 at age 2 and every 5 years)
-Influenza-pulmonary problems
What pneumococci vaccine is recommended for functional asplenia?
Pneumovax
- PPPSV23
- every 5 years