CHILDHOOD ANEMIAS

See also "Anemia" and "Hemoglobinopathies"

Nl childhood HGb 10-11

Nl adolescent HCT about 38%

MCH, MCHC are calculated from other values

Clinical presentation:

• Tachicardia/-pnea (acute)
• Anorexia, lethargy, pallor (chronic)

Lab clues to dx:

1. Coomb's test for autoimmune hemolytic anemia
2. Basophilic stippling: precipitation of RNA; seen in Pb poisoning
3. Megaloblastic anemia (us. due to pernicious anemia or Ca chemotherapy); very bad in kids; interferes with nerve myelination
4. Howell-Jolly body: basophilic granule; due to anatomic or functional asplenia