Pancytopenia Flashcards
What is pancytopenia?
Deficiency of WBCs, RBCs and platelets.
Does not have an effect on lymphocyte count.
Which WBC is affected more than others in pancytopenia?
Neutrophils
What is the main cause of pancytopenia?
Bone marrow failure
What is an example of inherited bone marrow failure?
Fanconi’s anaemia
What is an acquired cause of bone marrow failure?
Aplastic anaemia
Involves an autoimmune reaction against haemopoietic stem cells.
How is aplastic anaemia diagnosed?
No specific test, a diagnosis of exclusion.
What is myelodysplastic syndrome?
A collection of bone marrow failure disorders, with the presence of cytopenia(s) affecting one or more blood lineages.
There is a risk of developing AML.
What drugs can cause bone marrow failure?
Chloramphenicol Chemotherapy Alcohol Azathioprine Methotrexate
What are features of anaemia?
Fatigue
SOB
What are features of neutropenia?
Increased incidence of infections - particularly gram -ve, fungal or cutaneous infections.
How does thrombocytopenia present?
Compromises primary haemostasis
Leads to bleeding compromise, producing purpura, petechiae and wet bleeds.
How is marrow cellularity affected in aplastic anaemia?
Hypocellular
What conditions cause hypercellular bone marrow?
Myelodysplastic syndromes
B12/Folate deficiency
Hypersplenism
How is pancytopenia treated?
RBC transfusions
Platelet transfusions
Prophylactic antibiotics and antifungals
How are primary bone marrow disorders treated?
Chemotherapy (if malignant causation)
Bone marrow transplant
Immunosuppression (if due to idiopathic aplastic anaemia)
