Approach to Anemia in Children and Nutritional Anemia

VOCABULARY flashcards covering pediatric anemia definitions, types (IDA and Megaloblastic), clinical signs, and hematological indices based on lecture notes.

Anemia (Pediatric Definition)

Hemoglobin levels $<-2SD$ from the mean for a specific age and gender.

Hemoglobin cut-off (6 months - 5 years)

$$<11\,\text{g/dL}$$

Hemoglobin cut-off (5-11 years)

$$<11.5\,\text{g/dL}$$

Hemoglobin cut-off (12-13 years)

$$<12\,\text{g/dL}$$

Nomograms

The best method to define anemia in a child, using different graphs for males and females based on Hemoglobin and Hematocrit.

Congenital Hemolytic Disorders (Onset)

Typically present since birth; examples include Enzyme deficiency (G6PD) and RBC membrane defects (Hereditary spherocytosis).

$\beta$-globin chain defects Onset

Usually occurs at $>6$ months of age, as HbF (which lacks $\beta$-globin chains) is present up to 6 months.

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) Peak Onset

Commonly occurs between $9-24$ months.

Goat's milk diet deficiency

Folic acid deficiency.

Exclusive cow milk diet deficiency

Iron and Vitamin C deficiency (Vit C is needed to aid iron absorption).

Pica

The eating of inedible substances, commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Fanconi anemia

A type of bone marrow failure associated with skeletal defects such as an absent radius or thumb.

Microcytic Anemia

Anemia characterized by continuous low MCV, with common causes including Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) and Thalassemia.

Normocytic Anemia

Anemia with a mean corpuscular volume in the range of $90 \pm 8\,\text{fL}$, often caused by Anemia of chronic disease/inflammation (ACD/ACI).

Corrected Reticulocyte Count Formula

$$\text{Reticulocyte count} \times \frac{\text{Patient's Hb}}{\text{Normal Hb for age/gender (15)}}$$

Atransferrinemia

A rare cause of IDA where there is a defective transfer of iron to red cell precursors in the bone marrow.

Koilonychia

Spooning of the nails associated with iron deficiency.

Platynychia

Flat nails associated with iron deficiency.

Atrophic glossitis

A shiny, smooth tongue seen in iron deficiency.

Anisopoikilocytosis

A peripheral smear finding in IDA showing red blood cells of varying size and shape.

Ferrous Sulphate

The most effective and economical form of oral iron, containing $20\%$ elemental iron.

Pernicious anemia

Megaloblastic anemia caused by auto-antibodies against intrinsic factor, leading to Vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency.

Beefy red tongue

A characteristic clinical feature of Megaloblastic Anemia.

Knuckle hyperpigmentation

A clinical feature specifically associated with Vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency.

Subacute combined degeneration (SACD)

A degeneration of the spinal cord associated with Vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency.

Macro-ovalocytes

Large, oval red blood cells seen on peripheral smears in Megaloblastic Anemia.

Hypersegmented neutrophils

Neutrophils with at least one nucleus having $\geq 6$ lobes or $5\%$ of neutrophils having $5$ lobes.