Iron Deficiency Anaemia |
- Pallor, fatigue, irritability
- Tachycardia, poor feeding, or growth delays in infants
- In severe cases, pica (craving non-food items like dirt or ice)
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- Complete blood count (CBC): low haemoglobin, microcytic hypochromic red cells
- Serum ferritin and iron levels: decreased
- Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC): elevated
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- Oral iron supplementation (ferrous sulfate)
- Dietary advice: encourage iron-rich foods (red meat, leafy greens, fortified cereals)
- Monitor response with repeat CBC and ferritin
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Megaloblastic Anaemia (Folate or B12 Deficiency) |
- Pallor, lethargy, irritability
- Glossitis (smooth, red tongue)
- In severe B12 deficiency, neurological symptoms (e.g., poor coordination, developmental delays)
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- CBC: macrocytic anaemia, elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
- Serum B12 and folate levels: decreased
- Peripheral blood smear: hypersegmented neutrophils
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- Oral folic acid supplementation (for folate deficiency)
- Vitamin B12 injections or oral supplements for B12 deficiency
- Address dietary deficiencies or underlying malabsorption conditions
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Haemolytic Anaemia (e.g., Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia) |
- Chronic anaemia with episodes of jaundice
- Painful crises (in sickle cell disease)
- Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), growth delays
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- CBC: normocytic or microcytic anaemia
- Reticulocyte count: elevated
- Haemoglobin electrophoresis for diagnosing sickle cell or thalassemia
- Peripheral blood smear: sickled cells (in sickle cell), target cells (in thalassemia)
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- Folic acid supplementation
- Pain management and hydration during sickle cell crises
- Blood transfusions in severe cases
- Hydroxyurea (in sickle cell disease) to reduce crises
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Anaemia of Chronic Disease |
- Pallor, fatigue, poor growth
- Associated with chronic illnesses such as infections, inflammatory disorders, or kidney disease
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- CBC: normocytic or mildly microcytic anaemia
- Serum ferritin: normal or increased
- Low serum iron, low TIBC
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- Treat the underlying condition (e.g., infection, inflammation)
- Iron supplementation usually not effective unless coexisting iron deficiency
- Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in cases of chronic kidney disease
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Aplastic Anaemia |
- Pallor, fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising
- Pancytopenia (anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia)
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- CBC: pancytopenia
- Bone marrow biopsy: hypocellular bone marrow
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- Supportive care: transfusions, antibiotics for infections
- Immunosuppressive therapy in some cases
- Bone marrow transplant for severe cases
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