Lecturer /Sulaimani College of Medicine/ Dept.of Pathology Anemia Dr.Sana Delawer Jalal Lecturer /Sulaimani College of Medicine/ Dept.of Pathology M.B.Ch.B, F.I.C.M.S.

Red Cell Indices Mean Cell Volume (MCV) It is calculated from PCV and red cell count as follows: MCV = PCV/RBC ( fl) Normal value: 80-95 fl It decrease in iron deficiency anaemia and haemoglopinopathies It is increase in megaloblastic anaemia and chronic haemolytic anemia

Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) It is calculated from the haemoglobin and PCV as follows: MCHC = Hb/PCV g/dl Normal value: 32-35.5 g/dl It is usually decreased in iron deficiency anaemia (microcytic hypochromic anaemia)

Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) It is calculated from the haemoglobin and erythrocyte count as follows: MCH = Hbx10/RBC pg Normal value: 27-32 pg It is decrease in iron deficiency anemia and thalassaemia (microcytic hypochromic anemia) It is recognized by the pale colour of the red cell in the peripheral blood film It is increase in macrocytic anemia (vitamin B 12 and folic acid)

Red Cell Distribution width (RDW) RDW reflects the variation of RBCs volume it is usually performed by modern analysers Normal RDW varies between 12 to 17 Severe iron deficiency anemia is associated with increased RDW Thalassemia and anemia of chronic disease are associated with normal RDW

Definition Anemia is a decrease in the number of RBCs, Hb content, or Hematocrit below the lower limit of the normal range for the age and sex of the individual In adults, the lower extreme of the normal haemoglobin is taken as 13.0 g/ dl for males and 11.5 g/dl for female Newborn infants have higher haemoglobin level and, therefore, 15 g/dl is taken as the lower limit at birth

Classification of Anemia Several types of classifications of anemia's have been proposed Two of the widely accepted classifications are based on : The pathophysiology The morphology

The Pathophysiological Classification Depending upon the pathophysiologic mechanism, anemias are classified into 3 groups: I. Anemia due to increased blood loss. II. Anemias due to impaired red cell production. III. Anemias due to increased red cell destruction .(Haemolytic )

The Morphological Classification Based on: Red cell size, Haemoglobin content Red cell indices Anaemias are classified into 3 types: I. Microcytic, hypochromic II. Normocytic, normochromic III. Macrocytic, normochromic

Simplified Classification Of Anemias 1. Deficiency anemias 2. Aplastic anemia 3. Hemolytic anemias 4. Secondary anemias

The Pathophysiological Classification

Impaired Red Cell Production A. Disturbance of proliferation and differentiation of stem cells ( aplastic anemia, pure red cell aplasia) B. Disturbance of proliferation and maturation of erythrocytes: 1.Defective DNA synthesis (megaloblastic anemias) 2.Defective Hb synthesis: a/. Deficient heme synthesis (iron deficiency) b/. .Deficient globin synthesis (thalassemia) 3. Unknown or multiple mechanisms (anemia of chronic disease, anemia of marrow replacement)

Increased Rate Of Destruction Intrinsic abnormalities Hereditary 1. Red cell membrane defects (Hereditary spherocytosis, Hereditary eliptocytosis) 2. Red cell enzyme deficiencies a/. Glycolytic enzymes: pyruvate kinase, hexokinase b/. Enzymes of hexose monophosphate shunt: G-6PD, glutathione synthetase. 3. Disorders of globin synthesis a/. Deficient globin synthesis (thalassemia) b/. Structurally abnormal globin synthesis (sickle cell anemia, unstable hemoglobins) Acquired 1. Membrane defect: paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Increased Destruction Extrinsic Abnormalities 1. Antibody Mediated a/. Autoantibodies (idiopathic, drug-associated, SLE, malignancies) b/. Alloantibodies (transfusion reactions, erythroblastosis fetalis) 2. Mechanical Trauma of RBCs a/. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemias (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura,hemolytic –uremic syndrome ) b/. Cardiac traumatic hemolytic anemia 3. Chemicals and Micro organisms 4. Sequestration in mononuclear phagocytic system - hypersplenism

Morphologic Classification Of Anemias Type MCV MCHC Common cause ____________________________________________________ Macrocytic anemia increased normal Vitamin B12 deficiency Folic acid deficiency Microcytic anemia - hypochromic decreased decreased Iron deficiency Thalassemia - normochromic decreased normal Spherocytosis or normal Normocytic anemia normal normal Aplastic anemia - normochromic Chronic renal failure Some hemolytic anemia

Classification of anemias using MCV

Thalassemia Microcytic Anemia MCV<80 fl Iron Deficiency Sideroblastic Anemia Thalassemia Microcytic Anemia MCV<80 fl Anemia of Chronic Disorder Lead Poisoning

Reduced Erythropoiesis Stem cells defects/ Reduced Erythropoiesis Normocytic Anemias 80-95 fl Intrinsic Extrinsic Hemolytic Anemias Extrinsic Causes Intrinsic Defects

Drugs Myelodysplastic Alcoholism syndrome Macrocytic Anemias Megaloblastic anemia Macrocytic Anemias MCV> 95 fl Hypothyrodisim Liver Disease Drugs

Hypochromic Microcytic

Normochromic Normocytic

Laboratory Investigation Anemia is not a diagnosis, but a sign of underlying disease The objective of the laboratory is to : determine the type of anemia as an aid in discovering the cause

Laboratory Investigation-cont. Screening is usually done with the CBC or "complete blood count" Most laboratories now use automated, multiparameter instruments which will provide results for the following parameters: Hemoglobin Hematocrit Red cell count MCV , MCH ,MCHC RDW White cell and platelet count Differentia WBC count. l

Laboratory Investigation of Hemolytic anemia These are dividing into 4 groups: I-Tests show increased red cell breakdown II- Tests show increased red cell production III- Tests show damage to red cells IV- Tests show shortened red cell life span

Tests Show Increased Red Cells Breakdown Serum bilirubin-unconjugated (indirect)bilirubin is raised Urine Urobilinogen is raised Faecal Stercobilinogen is raised Serum haptoglobin ( α globulin binding protein) is reduced or absent Plasma lactic acid dehydrogenase is raised Evidence of intravascular haemolysis in the form of haemoglobinaemia, haemoglobinuria, haemosiderinuria

Tests Show Increased Red Cells Production. Reticulocyte count reveals reticulocytosis which indicate marrow erythroid hyperplasia Routine blood film shows macrocytosis, polychromasia, and normoblasts Bone marrow show erythroid hyperplasia X ray of bones shows evidence of expansion of marrow spaces especially in tubular bones and skull

Tests Revealing Damages To RBCs Routine blood film shows a variety of abnormal morphological appearances of red cells Osmotic fragility is increased Autohaemolysis test Coomb's antiglobulin test Electrophoresis for abnormal haemoglobin Estimation of HbA2

Tests Show Shortened Red Cell Life Span Tested by Cr51 labeling method normal RBC life span of 120 days is shortened to 20-40 days in moderate haemolysis and 5-20 days in severe haemolysis

Special Investigations Biochemical Tests biochemical tests are aimed to identifying: 1-Depleted cofactors necessary for normal hematopoiesis (iron, ferritin, folate, B12). 2-Abnormally functioning enzyme (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase), or 3-Abnormal function of the immune system (the direct antiglobulin [Coombs'] test).

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