Correlation of Red Blood Cell Indices and RBC Histogram with Peripheral Blood Smear Findings in Anemia

The advent of automation has made diagnosis of Anemia and to some extent its underlying cause easy. The objective of our study is to correlate RBC indices and RBC Histogram findings with peripheral smear to provide a better approach in accurate diagnosis of Anemia and to analyze their limitations. All cases of Anemia as per WHO reference range of Hemoglobin levels were included in our study. Patients who have received medical treatment for Anemia in past three months, patients having recent history of blood transfusion, patients having Leukemia or Leukemoid reactions were excluded from the study. Venous blood samples collected from these patients were run in SYSMEX automated hematology analyzer and complete blood count, Red Blood Cell (RBC) indices ie, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and RBC Histogram were obtained and peripheral smears were examined. Anemia typing was done based on RBC indices and position, shape and skewing of RBC histograms, followed by peripheral smear examination for morphological typing of Anemia. The diagnoses made by peripheral smear versus RBC histogram and indices were compared and analysed

Segurança do paciente: alterações da hemoglobina e ferro sérico após lipoaspiração e/ou abdominoplastia / Patient safety: changes in hemoglobin and serum iron after liposuction and/or abdominoplasty

Introdução: A lipoaspiração é o sendo segundo procedimento mais realizado no Brasil. Com os avanços da técnica, melhores equipamentos e aumento da segurança no ambiente cirúrgico, passaram-se a ser lipoaspiradas grandes áreas. Contudo, existe uma preocupação com a segurança do paciente. Comitês de segurança têm feito recomendações sobre a infiltração, anestesia, seleção do paciente, volume aspirado, entre outros. A Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica e o Conselho Federal de Medicina também determinaram parâmetros de volumes de segurança do aspirado e superfície corporal aspirada. Ainda assim, a literatura de apoio para as recomendações é escassa. O objetivo é avaliar as alterações dos níveis de hemoglobina, ferro sérico e proteínas totais no pré e pós-operatório mediato (7-10 dias), assim como seus reflexos nos pacientes. Métodos: Realizamos um estudo prospectivo, com pacientes submetidos à lipoaspiração isolada e associada à dermolipectomia abdominal, por indicações estéticas. Avaliamos 30 pacientes, sendo coletados dados demográficos, peso, Índice de Massa Corporal, níveis de hemoglobina, ferro sérico e proteínas totais, no pré-operatório, e entre 7 a 10 dias de pós-operatório. Resultados: A queda da hemoglobina foi entre 2-6g/dl, com média de 3,1g/dl aos 7-10 dia de PO. Tivemos como valor mínimo de hemoglobina 7,8g/dl no pós-operatório com 7-10 dias, enquanto o ferro sérico apresentou redução média de 44,87g/dl. Conclusão: A redução no nível da hemoblogina foi responsável pela sintomatolgia clinica apresentada. A reposição de ferro se mostrou necessária no pós-operatório imediato.

Introduction: Liposuction is the second commonest procedure performed in Brazil. The scope for liposuction has broadened with advances in the technique, with better equipment, and increased safety in the surgical environment. However, there are concerns about patient safety. Safety committees have made recommendations on various aspects of the procedure including infiltration, anesthesia, patient selection, and aspirated volume. The Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery and the Federal Council of Medicine have also determined the parameters for aspiration safety volumes, and for the aspiration of body surface. However, supporting literature for the recommendations is scarce. The objective is to evaluate changes in hemoglobin, serum iron, and total protein levels in the peri-operative days (between 7 and 10 days), in addition to its impact in patients. Methods: We performed a prospective study, with patients submitted to either liposuction alone, or in conjunction with abdominal dermolipectomy for esthetic indications. We evaluated 30 patients, collecting their demographic data, weight, body mass index, hemoglobin, serum iron, and total protein levels in both, the pre-operative period, and between 7 and 10 post-operative days. Results: The fall in hemoglobin levels were between 2 and 6 g /dL, with an average of 3.1 g /dL between 7 and 10 post-operative days . A minimum hemoglobin value of 7.8 g/dL was noted between 7 and 10 days after surgery, while the mean reduction of serum iron was found to be 44.87 g/dL. Conclusion: The reduction in hemoglobin levels was responsible for the clinical symptoms. Iron supplementation was required in the immediate post-operative period.

Microcytic hypochromic anemia: Should high performance liquid chromatography be used routinely for screening anemic and antenatal patients.

Background: Hemoglobinopathies are the most common inherited red cell disorders worldwide. Identification of these disorders is immensely important epidemiologically and for improved management protocols. Aim and Objectives: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in patients with microcytic hypochromic anemia and to assess the suitability of using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) routinely for screening antenatal cases and patients with anemia. Materials and Methods: A total of 4335 cases received from Mar 2007 to Nov 2011 were studied for various hemoglobinopathies and variants on BIO RAD ‘VARIANT’ analyzer. Results: Of the 4335 cases studied, 2119 were antenatal cases, 1710 patients with other disorders and 506 family studies. Of these, 688 cases displayed abnormal hemoglobin fractions on HPLC of which 140 were antenatal women. There were 455 cases of  thalassemia trait, 24 thalassemia major, 20 thalassemia inter-media, 54 sickle cell trait, fi vesickle cell disease, 21 double heterozygous  thalassemia–sickle cell trait, nineand 4 Hb D- Punjab heterozygous and homozygous respectively, three Hb D  Thalassemia trait, 20 and 37 Hb E homozygous and heterozygous respectively, three Hb E  Thalassemia trait and four cases of Hb Q India. Twenty nine adults had isolated HbF elevation. Conclusion: Our study found a high prevalence (15.8%) of hemoglobinopathies amongst microcytic hypochromic anemia and antenatal cases. An accurate diagnosis helps in preventing unnecessary iron loading. Screening all antenatal cases with anemia helps in timely antenatal counseling, thus preventing the psychological trauma of bearing a transfusion dependent child for life.

Reticulocyte Indices for the Differential Diagnosis of Anemia of Chronic Disease and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adult Women with Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common anemia followed by anemia of chronic disease (ACD). Reticulocyte indices have been shown to be helpful indicators for detecting IDA. We investigated whether RBC and reticulocyte indices can be used to differentiate ACD from IDA. METHODS: A total of 85 women showing microcytic hypochromic anemia (38 IDA and 47 ACD cases) were enrolled. IDA was defined as those with ferritin level of 450 microg/dL. ACD was defined as ferritin level of > or =6 microg/dL, TIBC of or =24.6 pg could be used to differentiate ACD from IDA with 85.1% sensitivity and 81.6% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The reticulocyte indices, especially CHr, are useful for the differential diagnosis of microcytic hypochromic anemias, ACD and IDA.

Diagnóstico laboratorial da deficiência de ferro: [revisão] / Laboratory diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia: [review]

A deficiência de ferro é a causa mais comum de anemia e, em geral, o diagnóstico laboratorial é feito sem grandes dificuldades, usando-se testes simples e rotineiramente disponíveis pelos laboratórios em geral. A interpretação dos resultados, no entanto, deve ser feita cuidadosamente, tendo em mente as limitações e interferentes de cada reação. Nessa revisão serão apresentados os testes que auxiliam na investigação da deprivação de ferro, com algumas noções técnicas e comentários sobre a interpretação dos mesmos.

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and, in general, the diagnosis is easily established by simple tests that are routinely available in general laboratories. The interpretation of results, however, must be carefully carried out keeping in mind the limitations and interference in each reaction. This review presents the tests that assist in the investigation of iron deficiency, with some technical aspects and comments on their interpretation.

A Case of Infective Endocarditis associtaed with Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia

We experienced a case of infective endocarditis, which unusual has symptoms and microcytic hypochromic anemia. Anemia associated with infective endocarditis is a common manifestation, but is generally normocytic nor-mochromic. However, microcytic hypochromic anemia is an uncommon manifestation of infective endo-carditis, and has only been noted in a few previous reports. We systematically evaluated anemia, and diagnosed fatal underlying diseases, such as infective endocarditis.