FLG 332 Copyright Micaela de Jager
Unit 4 – Haematology
LECTURE 1 – RBC AND ANAEMIA
RBC
ERYTHROCYTES
RBC indices:
1. Mean Corpuscular Volume MCV
2. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin MCH
3. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration MCHC
MICAELA DE JAGER 1
, FLG 332 Copyright Micaela de Jager
MCV MCH MCHC
Average volume of RBCs expressed Amount of haemoglobin per cell expressed Concentration of haemoglobin in
in cubic micrometers (μm3) or in picograms (1pg = 10-12 g) grams per decilitre (100 ml) or as a
femtolitres (1fl = 10-15 litre) percentage
Normal
Normal 27-31 (29) pg Normal
82-99 (87) fl 31-37 (34) %
Abnormal
Abnormal < 25 pg = hypochromia Abnormal
< 82 fl = microcytes (Iron deficiency) << hypochromia
> 99 fl = macrocytes > 50 pg = hyperchromia > 37 % spherocytosis
(Vitamin B12 deficiency)
ANAEMIA Symptom not a disease
v Abnormally ↓# of circulating RBC
\ Abnormally ↓level of Hb
M Results in ↓O2 carrying capacity
Affects 1 in 4 people worldwide
4 Main groups of Anaemia:
1. Abnormal/decreased Hb (Fe deficiency, thalassemia, sickle cell)
2. Haemorrhagic anaemia
3. Decreased RBC production (Vit B12, folate deficiency, etc.)
4. Haemolytic anaemia (autoimmune, malaria, etc.)
1. ABNORMAL HAEMOGLOBIN
SICKLE-CELL ANAEMIA
HbS
« Valine is substituted for glutamic acid at position 6 of β-chain in HbA
« When deoxygenated, polymerises to form long fibres
« Fibres aggregate and distort RBC causing “sickling” of the cell
Sickle cells
• Decrease half-life of RBC ⇒ more prone to damage
• Results in haemolytic anaemia
MICAELA DE JAGER 2
Unit 4 – Haematology
LECTURE 1 – RBC AND ANAEMIA
RBC
ERYTHROCYTES
RBC indices:
1. Mean Corpuscular Volume MCV
2. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin MCH
3. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration MCHC
MICAELA DE JAGER 1
, FLG 332 Copyright Micaela de Jager
MCV MCH MCHC
Average volume of RBCs expressed Amount of haemoglobin per cell expressed Concentration of haemoglobin in
in cubic micrometers (μm3) or in picograms (1pg = 10-12 g) grams per decilitre (100 ml) or as a
femtolitres (1fl = 10-15 litre) percentage
Normal
Normal 27-31 (29) pg Normal
82-99 (87) fl 31-37 (34) %
Abnormal
Abnormal < 25 pg = hypochromia Abnormal
< 82 fl = microcytes (Iron deficiency) << hypochromia
> 99 fl = macrocytes > 50 pg = hyperchromia > 37 % spherocytosis
(Vitamin B12 deficiency)
ANAEMIA Symptom not a disease
v Abnormally ↓# of circulating RBC
\ Abnormally ↓level of Hb
M Results in ↓O2 carrying capacity
Affects 1 in 4 people worldwide
4 Main groups of Anaemia:
1. Abnormal/decreased Hb (Fe deficiency, thalassemia, sickle cell)
2. Haemorrhagic anaemia
3. Decreased RBC production (Vit B12, folate deficiency, etc.)
4. Haemolytic anaemia (autoimmune, malaria, etc.)
1. ABNORMAL HAEMOGLOBIN
SICKLE-CELL ANAEMIA
HbS
« Valine is substituted for glutamic acid at position 6 of β-chain in HbA
« When deoxygenated, polymerises to form long fibres
« Fibres aggregate and distort RBC causing “sickling” of the cell
Sickle cells
• Decrease half-life of RBC ⇒ more prone to damage
• Results in haemolytic anaemia
MICAELA DE JAGER 2
