W1: Anaemia Flashcards
definition of anaemia
reduced [Hb] in blood
when do symptoms of anaemia appear?
when [Hb] falls below 90-100g/L
what are the symptoms of anaemia?
SoB, weakness, pallor, lethargy, palpitations, headaches, heart failure & confusion
in young patients, how low can [Hb] get before symptoms appear?
60 g/L
what are the main clinical signs of anaemia?
pallor of mucous mems & nail beds
clinical signs that depend on type of anaemia are…
concave nails
jaundice (haemolytic)
leg ulcers
bone deformities
recurrent infection &/or bruising (BM failure/leukaemia)
which parameters are used in the classification of anaemias?
mean cell vol (MCV)
mean cell Hb (MCH)
mean corpuscular Hb conc (MCHC)
MCV normal range
80-101 fl
MCH normal range
27-34 pg
MCHC normal range
300-350 g/l
which 2 parameters are used to classify anaemia?
size & [Hb]
microcytic
small RBCs
normocytic
normal sized RBCs
macrocytic
large RBCs
hypochromic
reduced [Hb]
normochromic
normal [Hb]
hyperchromic
high [Hb]
what are RBCs like in normocytic, normochromic anaemia?
normal vol (MVC)
normal amount Hb (MCH)
normal [Hb] (MCHC)
RBC count reduced
what are the causes of normocytic, normochromic anaemia?
acute bleed
marrow failure
haemolysis
renal failure (epo deficiency)
what are RBCs like in microcytic, hypochromic anaemia?
reduced vol (MCV)
less Hb (MCH)
lower [Hb] (MCHC)
what are the causes of microcytic, hypochromic anaemia?
Fe deficiency (absolute or functional)
thalassemia
anaemia of chronic disorder
what are RBCs like in macrocytic, normochromic anaemia?
increased vol (MCV)
normal [Hb] (MCHC)
so MCH increased
RBC count low
what are the causes of macrocytic, normochromic anaemia?
B12 or folate defiency
what are the state of RBCs in anaemia due to acute blood loss?
normocytic, normochromic
(RBCs qualitatively normal)
how much acute loss can young & healthy patients tolerate w/ little/no effect?
500-1000ml
(10-20% blood vol)
effects of 1-1.5L blood loss
Ok if lying/sitting
effects of 1.5-2L blood loss
variable loss of consciousness
SoB
sweating
effects of >2L blood loss
severe shock
poss irreversible –> death
what happens 2-3 days post bleed?
hypovolaemia but no anaemia
what happens 3-5 days post bleed?
reticulocyte response
what is the state of RBCs in haematinic deficiency: iron deficiency anaemia (IDA)?
microcytic, hypochromic
what are the causes of IDA?
poor diet
malabsorption
chronic blood loss
how can iron stores be replenished in IDA?
oral administration (ferrous sulfate tablets)
parenteral (imferon/jectofer)