anemia Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is anemia?
A condition defined by reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, often due to a low number or dysfunctional red blood cells.
What type of anemia is primarily caused by blood loss or insufficient dietary iron intake?
Iron deficiency anemia.
What is the typical red blood cell morphology in iron deficiency anemia?
Microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells.
What are the two macrocytic anemias discussed in the video?
- Pernicious anemia
- Folic acid deficiency.
What causes pernicious anemia?
Autoimmune disorder that impairs absorption of vitamin B-12 due to antibodies attacking intrinsic factor.
What is hereditary spherocytosis?
A genetic anemia caused by mutations affecting key membrane proteins, producing spherical red blood cells.
What is the primary consequence of hereditary spherocytosis?
Spherocytes are prone to hemolysis and splenic sequestration.
What condition is caused by G6PDH deficiency?
Hemolytic anemia due to oxidative damage and Heinz body formation.
What is sickle cell anemia characterized by?
A missense mutation substituting valine for glutamic acid on the beta-globin chain.
What are the potential complications of sickle cell anemia?
- Vaso-occlusive crises
- Splenomegaly
- Priapism.
What does hemorrhagic anemia result from?
Acute or chronic blood loss.
What characterizes aplastic anemia?
Bone marrow failure affecting red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, causing pancytopenia.
What is thalassemia commonly associated with?
Genetic mutations causing defective alpha or beta globin chains.
What are common clinical presentations of anemia?
- Fatigue
- Dyspnea
- Tachycardia
- Dizziness.
What is the significance of MCV values in diagnosing anemia?
MCV values indicate microcytic or macrocytic anemia, helping to differentiate underlying causes.
What does microcytic anemia typically imply?
Iron deficiency or thalassemia.
What does macrocytic anemia typically indicate?
B-12 or folate deficiency.
How do genetic mutations impact red blood cells in hereditary spherocytosis?
They modify membrane stability, producing spherocytes vulnerable to splenic destruction.
What is the role of G6PDH in red blood cells?
It helps neutralize oxidative stress; deficiency leads to hemoglobin damage.
What is the effect of autoimmune mechanisms in pernicious anemia?
They impair vitamin B-12 absorption, necessitating parenteral administration.
What does sickle cell anemia’s reversible sickling depend on?
Oxygen binding dynamics.
What is the treatment consideration for aplastic anemia?
Bone marrow transplantation may be curative.
What is a common treatment for thalassemia?
Frequent transfusions or potentially stem cell transplantation.
True or False: Aplastic anemia affects only red blood cells.
False.
