Microcytic, hypochromic anaemia Flashcards
What are the causes of microcytic anaemia?
Iron deficiency anaemia
Thalassaemia
Sideroblastic anaemia
What is Poikilocytosis? What does it indicate on a blood film?
Poikilocytosis- variation in RBC shape
Poikilocytosis seen in Thalassemia
What is a Thalassaemia?
Thalassaemia- this is a type of anaemia that is caused by genetic mutations affecting the Globin genes.
There are two types- alpha Thalassaemia And beta Thalassaemia
What are the types of beta Thalassaemia? Explain them in terms of genetic mutations
Thalassaemia minor- heterozygous (chromosome 11)
Thalassaemia intermediate
Thalassaemia major- homozygous recessive
How does beta Thalassaemia affect the RBC?
▪️There is a decrease in beta-globin chain production.
▪️The alpha-globin chains are unpaired
▪️This unpaired alpha chains precipitate to for aggregates, which damage the RBC membrane.
▪️This results in hemolysis of premature RBCs.
What are the signs and symptoms of Thalassaemia major?
▪️Anaemia
▪️Extramedullary hematopoeisis➡️ Splenomegaly
▪️Jaundice➡️ Hemolysis
▪️Iron overload ➡️ Increased iron absorption
What are the signs and symptoms of Thalassaemia minor?
Usually asymptomatic. Microcytic anaemia on bloods
What is anisocytosis?
Variation in RBC size
List the causes of Iron deficiency anaemia
▪️Blood loss
▪️Malabsorption e.g. Coeliac disease
▪️Hook worm (tropical)
▪️Poor dietary intake
What are the signs of iron deficiency anaemia?
▪️Koilonychya (spoon shaped nails)
▪️Atrophic glossitis (painful, smooth, swollen tongue)
▪️Angular cheilosis
▪️Oesophageal webbing (plubber- Vinson syndrome).
What is Sideroblastic anaemia?
This is a type of anaemia due to problems with incorporating iron within the heme group during hemoglobin synthesis.
What drug causes Sideroblastic anaemia?
B) list some causes of Sideroblastic anaemia?
Isoniazid
B) ▪️ alcohol
▪️lead poisoning
▪️Hypothymia
▪️Myelodysplastic syndrome
