2. Definition of anemia
Anemia: A reduction in
red cell mass
O2-carrying capacity
It is expressed in terms of reduction in the
concentration of Hb (or RBC or Hct%)
compared to values obtained from a
reference population.
(2 SD below normal)
3. Definition of anemia
Hb level of a patient which is below the normal
ranges of that age and sex.
For adults:
WHO criteria define anemia as hemoglobin level
lower than 12 g/dL in women and 13 g/dL in men
But: The reference values for red cells ,Hb or Hct may difer
according to
sex/age
Race
Altitude
Socioeconomical changes
Study/reference etc
7. !!!!
Anemia is rarely a disease by itself,
It is mostly a manifestation or consequence of an
underlying (genetic or acquired) disease.
The finding of anemia has to start attempts to
disclose an underlying disease .
What is the cause of anemia ?
8. Anemia leads to two symptom complexes;
Tissue hypoxia
Fatigue,dyspnea on exertion etc
Compensatory attempts
Tachycardia,hyperventilation etc
9. Reduced levels of Hb results with reduced oxygen
delivery to tissues , leading to tissue hypoxia.
The symptoms and findings of anemia concern
many different systems/organs due to the
widespread nature of hypoxia.
10. Symptoms of Anemia
Nonspecific and reflect tissue hypoxia:
Fatigue
Dyspnea on exertion
Palpatations
Headache
Confusion, decreased mental acuity
Skin pallor
11. Clinical symptoms and findings of anemia (2)
Fatigue, weakness
Tiredness, lassitude, reduced exercise tolerence
Generalized muscular weakness
Pallor /skin or mucous membranes
Skin color may change due to other reasons;
eg :Blood flow of skin, subcutaneous fluid , pigment changes
12. Some other skin/mucosal changes
Premature graying of hair:pern.anemia
Hair loss and fragility + spooning of the nails:iron
deficiency
Chronic leg ulcers:Sickle cell or other hemolytic anemia
Glossitis/burning sense :Pern. anemia, iron deficiency(rare)
Chelitis(angular stomatitis):iron def.
Siideropenic dysphagia: iron def.
Painful ulcerative mouth lesions: aplastic anemia/leukemia
13. Clinical symptoms and findings of
Clinical symptoms and findings of
anemia
anemia
Cardiovascular System
Cardiovascular System
High output state: Collapsing pulse,
high pulse pressure
Cardiomegaly
Congestive failure
Ischemic ECG changes
14. Clinical symptoms and findings of anemia
Reproductive system
Menstrual changes:
Amenorrhea ,
Menorrhagia(mostly a cause of anemia)
Loss of libido
15. Clinical symptoms and findings of
Clinical symptoms and findings of
anemia .
anemia .
Gastrointestinal system
Gastrointestinal system
(these symptoms may indicate underlying
(these symptoms may indicate underlying
disorder that might indeed be a cause of
disorder that might indeed be a cause of
anemia)
anemia)
Anorexia
Anorexia
Flatulence
Flatulence
Nausea
Nausea
Constipation
Constipation
Weight loss
Weight loss
These should remind GIS disease as a cause
of anemia
(eg:a bleeding lesion-ulcer/malignancy etc)
16. Clinical symptoms and findings of
Clinical symptoms and findings of
anemia .
anemia .
Renal Changes
Renal Changes
– Slight proteinuria
Slight proteinuria
– Concentrating defects
Concentrating defects
– Further reduction of renal function in patients
Further reduction of renal function in patients
with previous renal impairment
with previous renal impairment
(Renal failure itself is a cause of anemia!!!!)
(Renal failure itself is a cause of anemia!!!!)
17. History and Physical in Anemia
Duration and onset of symptoms
Change in stool habits: Stool Guaiacs in all
Splenomegaly?
Jaundiced?
26. Non-megaloblastic Macrocytic
Anemias
Anemia of acute bleeding
Hemolytic anemias
Leukemias
(esp: acute)
Myelodysplastic
syndromes
Liver disease
Aplastic anemia
Diseases infiltrative to
the bone marrow
Alcoholism
Hypothyroidism
Scurvy
27. Pathogenic classification
(Causes of anemia)
Relative (increased plasma volume)
Decreased RBC production
Blood loss
Anemia due to acute bleeding
Increased RBC destruction
28. Pathogenic classification
Pathogenic classification
(Causes of anemia)
(Causes of anemia)
Decreased RBC production
Decreased RBC production
– Decreased Hb production
Decreased Hb production
– Defective DNA synthesis
Defective DNA synthesis
– Stem cell defects
Stem cell defects
Pluripotent stem cell
Erythroid stem cell(progenitors)
– Other less defined reasons
Other less defined reasons
Blood loss
Blood loss
– Anemia due to acute bleeding
Anemia due to acute bleeding
Increased RBC destruction
Increased RBC destruction
Relative(increased plasma volume)
Relative(increased plasma volume)
29. Decreased Hb production
Iron deficiency anemia
Thalassemia
Sideroblastic anemia
Lead poisoning
31. Decreased RBC production due to multipl
or undefined mechanisms
Anemia of chronic diseases
Bone marrow infiltration
Anemia due to nutritional defects
32. Anemias caused by increased RBC destruction
(hemolytic anemias)
Can be classified as;
Hemolysis due to intracorpuscular defects
Hemolysis due to extracorpuscular defects
Or
Hereditary hemolytic diseases
Acquired hem. diseases
Or
Intravascular hemolysis
Extravascular hemolysis etc.
33. 1- Abnormalities of RBC interior
a. Enzyme defects
b. Hemoglobinopathies & Thalassemia M
2-RBC membrane abnormalities
a. Hereditary spherocytosis, elliptocytosis etc
b. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
c. Spur cell anemia
3- Extrinsic factors
a. Hypersplenism
b. Antibody : immune hemolysis
c. Traumatic & Microangiopathic hemolysis
d. Infections , toxins , etc
Int
rac
orp
usc
ular
Ex
tr
ac
or
pu
sc
u
la
r
Hereditary
Acquired
A Very Simple Classification of Hemolytic Anemias
35. Is the patient anemic ?
RBC count
HB level
Hct level
Volume status
36. What is the type of anemia?
History and physical exam.
RBC,HB,Hct ,
MCV, MCH,RDW
Red cell morphology ( peripheral smear)
Reticulocyte count
Incresed ?
Other Lab. investigations
37. Lab. investigation of anemia(1)
WBC count and differential
Platelet count and morphology
ESR
Biochemistry, special tests and others
Bone marrow exam.(only when indicated)
38. Lab. investigation of anemia(2)
Serum values of
Iron
TIBC
Ferritin
Bilirubins
Proteins / electrophoresis
LDH
Vit B12 and /or Folic acid
(None of these tests are routine screening tests)
39. Lab. Investigation of Anemia(3)
Red cell enzymes
Hb F,A2,Hb electrophoresis
Coombs tests
Liver, renal, endocrin functional tests
Urinalysis
Hemosiderin
Occult GIS bleeding / parasites etc
(tests should be chosen individually-do not order routinly )
40. Investigation of a microcytic hypochromic anemia
Blood Film
Serum Iron
Serum iron high Serum iron normal/high Serum iron low
Marrow for iron Hemoglobin studies Ferritin level
Low Normal / High
Sideroblastic anemia Thalassemia İron deficiency Anemia of
Abnormal Hb chronic disease
41. Investigation of a microcytic hypochromic anemia
Blood Film
Serum Iron
Serum iron high Serum iron normal/high Serum iron low
Marrow for iron Hemoglobin studies Ferritin level
Low Normal / High
Sideroblastic anemia Thalassemia İron deficiency Anemia of
Abnormal Hb chronic disease
42. Macrocytic anemia (MCV: high)
Blood film
Reticulocyte count
Retic. High Retic. Normal/low
Bone marrow
Non-megaloblastic Megaloblastic
Acute blood loss or
Hemolytic anemia normoblastic dysplastic(MDS) folate or
B12 levels
(Other macrocytic anemias)
Treatment response
43. Anemia
Low Retic count & Normal
Bili/LDH
Hypoproliferative Anemia
High Retic count & High
Bili/LDH
Hemolytic Anemia
Low Retic count & High
Bili/LDH
Ineffective Erythropoiesis
High Retic count & normal
Bili/LDH
Blood Loss
44. Treatment
Depends on underlying etiology ( Blood
loss ,Nutritional causes, …)
Treat Iron deficiency by tablets or IV Iron.
B12 , Folate deficiency by replacement
Thalassemia Blood Transfusion.
SCD by medication and analgesia and Blood
transfusion .