Hematology | Types of Anemias

They will have low platelets. We now know that red blood cells cause anemia. Leukopenia low in white blood cells and platelets is thrombocytopenia. But together, it's actually called pancytopenia. That's something you want to know about aplastic anemia. Generally, not only red blood cells are affected, but also white blood cells and platelets. And that's called pancytopenia. Now, aplastic anemia, we already said a couple of things about what can be done with it. Obviously these people, depending on the severity, could have to do a bone marrow transplant. You may be able to consistently undergo certain

types

of transfusions depending on severity.

With bone marrow destruction there is not much you can do other than try to treat the symptoms. And again, if there is a possibility, perhaps a bone marrow transplant. Alright, that's pretty much aplastic anemia in a walnut shell. And again, what would you notice in these people? They would again have pancytopenia as one of their clinical signs. And again, some of your symptoms will be pretty much the same because you won't have as many red blood cells. Oh! What else would they have? On top of that, if you are losing white blood cells, what would happen there?

You may have a higher incidence of infections because your white blood cells are lower, so that is a clinical sign. And if you are losing platelets, why is it? You couldn't actually clot that much. And if it doesn't clot as much, what would these people have if they had thrombocytopenia? I'm not sure how you say petechiae, but they are basically little bruises, you would have these little bruises that are quite spread out. Therefore, they can cause what is called increased bruising or bleeding. Well? So that's one thing. And again, bone marrow transplant is probably the best option for these people, but it's also about treating them with antibiotics and platelet and red blood cell transfusions.

That will also be very important for these people, okay? The last one here, thalassemia. Thalassemia is more common in Mediterranean ancestry. That is why it is more common in the Mediterranean. Mediterranean ancestry. Ok, this is more common within Mediterranean ancestry and what it is, is actually a genetic condition. And genetics means that, remember hemoglobin? Once again here we had hemoglobin A1, right? And that is made up of two alphas and two betas. What is the problem with these individuals? There are two

types

of thalassemia. There is alpha thalassemia. And then there's beta thalassemia. Now, in telling you that, I basically told you what is happening with these individuals.

It usually occurs when they have a defective or missing globin chain. If they are missing an alpha. So let's say this person is missing an alpha. So they only have one alpha plus two betas. What would this person have? What if they only have one alpha and two beta? This would be what is called alpha thalassemia. And what if this person has two alphas but maybe they have them and they lose a beta? So if they lose a beta, what will this be? This will be beta thalassemia. Well? And again with these individuals because it's a genetic mutation, what they're actually trying to do...

Oh! Actually, one more thing before I mention that. Because you lack hemoglobin, what happens to cell volume? Would it fall right? Then again, what would they have? The Mean Corpuscular Volume would be less or greater than 90 femtoliters, because they are getting smaller, it would be less. Therefore, they would have an average corpuscular volume of less than 90 femtoliters. So what is that called? Microcytic anemia, right? So this is another type of microcytic anemia. The other one we mentioned was iron deficiency. but thalassemia is another type of microcytic anemia, because the mean corpuscular volume is less than 90 femtoliters.

With these individuals again they have it, due to their condition generally the best way to treat this is by giving them constant perfusion, not perfusions, transfusions. They may even be taking iron supplements or receiving oxygen. But hopefully, God willing, if they can get what's called a bone stem cell transplant, that would be ideal because it would help them be able to make more functional hemoglobin. So, again, with these people it would be desirable for them to receive a bone stem cell transplant, but if not, they will receive transfusions constantly and again, it will just be a matter of managing the symptoms of these people.

Okay, so in a few words we basically describe all the different types of anemia. Well, what were those anemais once again? In just a general look. Iron deficiency was one of them, right? What is a microcytic anemia? Vitamin B-12 and folic acid deficiency, which is a macrocytic anemia. Hereditary spherocytosis, which is usually some type of genetic mutation, in which specific types of red blood cell membrane proteins are not produced and this is hemolytic anemia. G6PDH deficiency where they are actually again a mutated form or deficiency of this enzyme that is necessary for antioxidant help, because if not, reactive oxygen species build up and cause damage to the Heinz bodies and hemolytic anemia.

Sickle cell, which again is a genetic condition where there is actually a point mutation or a missense mutation that changes the actual overall shape of the red blood cells to a sickle shape and can cause a vaso-occlusive crisis. Hemorrhagic anemia simply due to some type of blood loss whether acute or chronic, okay? It is generally a little more acute but can be chronic. Aplastic anemia, which is generally a misnomer because it should really be called aplastic pancytopenia, where there is some type of damage to the bone marrow of myloid stem cells that not only decreases red blood cells but also platelets and white blood cells, which It can cause anemia, increased infections and bruising and bleeding, right?

And again, the best way to treat these people is maybe a bone marrow transplant, but if not, you're going to give them transfusions. And then the last one, thalassemia, which is most common among Mediterranean ancestors and is a genetic condition where they produce a defective globin chain. If it is missing an alpha, it is alpha thalassemia. If they lack a beta globin, it is beta thalassemia. And again in these individuals, the mean corpuscular volume is low, so they have microcytic anemia. And the best way to treat these people is constant transfusions, but if possible a bone stem cell transplant could be done.

And one last thing, before I mention anything again, generally with sickle cell anemia and hereditary spherocytosis sometimes it depends on the severity of it. If it is very consistent and chronic, blocking the vaso-occlusive crisis. You may need to have a splenectomy; when removing the spleen, it is a danger because again, depending on the age of the individual or just in general, it will not have the ability to combat specific types of encapsulated bacteria such as strep. pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and haemophilus influenzae, there is a danger of this happening. In this video we cover all

anemias

. I hope this makes sense, see you ninja nerds.