Anemia & Immune Deficiencies Lecture Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering classifications, lab reference values, manifestations, and clinical management of iron deficiency, aplastic, megaloblastic, and sickle cell anemias.

Anemia

A condition characterized by lower than normal hemoglobin and fewer than normal circulating red blood cells (RBCs).

Hypo-proliferative Anemia

A category of anemia caused by a defect in red blood cell production, stemming from iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiencies, as well as cancer or bone marrow depression.

Hemolytic Anemia

A type of anemia resulting from the excess destruction of red blood cells, such as in sickle cell anemia.

Pica

A generalized clinical manifestation of anemia characterized by craving and consuming non-nutritive substances such as ice, dirt, or starch.

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

An oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells with normal reference ranges of $12\text{--}16\,\text{g/dL}$ in females and $14\text{--}18\,\text{g/dL}$ in males.

Hematocrit (Hct)

The percentage of total blood volume made up of red blood cells, with normal reference ranges of $37\text{--}47\%$ in females and $42\text{--}52\%$ in males.

Reticulocyte Count

A diagnostic laboratory test used to determine whether the bone marrow is actively producing new red blood cells.

Haptoglobin

A diagnostic blood test that helps detect and evaluate the rate of red blood cell destruction.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone that stimulates red blood cell production; administered therapeutically to treat specific anemias related to kidney disease.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

A hypoproliferative anemia where dietary iron intake is inadequate for the synthesis of hemoglobin, resulting in reduced oxygen transport by RBCs.

Ferric Maltol

An oral iron supplement preparation specifically indicated for patients who also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Ferumoxytol

A parenteral iron formulation administered intravenously over $15\,\text{minutes}$, requiring close monitoring for hypersensitivity reactions.

Aplastic Anemia

A condition in which T-cells attack the bone marrow, halting blood cell production and resulting in deficient red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Pancytopenia

A hallmark diagnostic manifestation of bone marrow failure marked by the simultaneous presence of anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.

Megaloblastic Anemias

Anemias caused by vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency that interfere with bone marrow synthesis of erythrocytes, producing abnormally large red blood cells.

Pernicious Anemia

An autoimmune condition where antibodies prevent the proper absorption of vitamin B12, causing megaloblastic anemia and distinct neurological symptoms.

Folate Monotherapy Warning

The clinical precaution dictating that folate must never be administered alone in vitamin B12 deficiency because it corrects the anemia while neurological damage continues to worsen.

Sickle Cell Anemia

An inherited autosomal recessive disorder where abnormal hemoglobin causes red blood cells to become sickle-shaped under low oxygen tension, occluding vessels and impairing tissue perfusion.

Vaso-occlusive Crisis

A painful sickle cell crisis where sickled red blood cells obstruct microcirculation, restricting blood flow and causing tissue hypoxia.

Sequestration Crisis

A sickle cell crisis caused by the pooling of sickled cells within organs, most commonly the spleen, typically presenting with severe left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain.

Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS)

A life-threatening complication of sickle cell disease presenting with fever, respiratory distress, tachycardia, and wheezing due to pulmonary microvascular occlusion, infection, or embolism.

Pulmonary Hypertension

A complication of sickle cell disease defined by increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure $> 25\,\text{mm\,Hg}$.

Hydroxyurea

A chemotherapy agent used in sickle cell disease management that decreases the number of sickled red blood cells and assists the bone marrow in producing new cells.