Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic Anemia

Tania E Poutou

Rasmussen College

Author Note

This paper is being submitted on November 23, 2014, Laurie Bjerklie’s ML130L Hematology I.

Aplastic Anemia

Medical Scenario

An 18-year-old female of Asia heritage, presents with complaints of feeling “poorly” and not sleeping well for the past three months because of rapid or irregular heart rate. Others symptoms are general malaise, fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Upon examination, the physician notes that the patient’s gums are red with some blood and swollen. The patient looks pale and has some bruises.

Medical History

Patient with medical history of Epilepsy and has been on antiepileptic drug (Phenobarbital) for the last seven years.

Observations and Comments

The clinical signs and symptoms of fatigue, SOB, paleness, and bruising suggest there may be an underlying condition is behind her symptoms.

Initial Laboratory Profile

Test | Result | Reference Range |

WBC | 1.50 x109/L | 4.5 – 11.5 x109/L |

Segmented Neutrophils | 1.5 x109/L | 50 – 70% |

Band Neutrophils | 0% | 0 – 5% |

Lymphocytes | 14% | 18 – 42% |

Monocytes | 1% | 2 – 11% |

Eosinophils | 0% | 1 – 3% |

Basophils | 0% | 0 – 3% |

RBC | 2.5 x109/L | 4.00 – 5.40 x109/L |

Hgb | 8 g/dL | Females 12 – 15 g/dLMales 14 – 18 g/dL |

Hct | 25% | 26 – 32% |

MCV | 104 fL | 80 – 100 fL |

MCH | 33 pg | 28 – 32 pg |

MCHC | 32 g/dL | 32 – 36 g/dL |

Platelets | 48 x109L | 150 – 450 x109/L |

RBCs Indices Calculation:

MCV = 25*10/2.5 = 100 fL

MCH = 8*10/2.5 = 32 pg

MCHC = 8*100/25 = 32 g/dL

Observations and Comments

The hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), RBC, Neutrophils, Platelets, WBCs, and RBCs are all lower than the normal value for an adult female. Based on RBCs indices, the RBC morphology for this patient is normocytic/normochromic. A decrease in Hgb is a common indicator of anemia.

Significance of the Cell Counts and the Morphology of Blood Cells

Peripheral...