Question

Discuss a blood disorder in which a blood smear may be used to diagnose. Give a brief description of the blood disorder, what specific blood component the disorder affects, what the disorder may look like on a blood smear, how it affects a patient, and how it may be treated

Answer 1

Sickle cell disesae is a blood disorder where there is "S shaped haemoglobin "or "sickle shaped"

Causes:

It is inherited from parents (genetic)

Signs and symptoms

• Infection( repeated bacterial )
• Pain:sickle cell crisis)
• Swelling of hand and feet
• Anaemia (pale skin
• Arthritis
• Leg ulcer
• Fever
• Abdominal swelling
• Vision problem

It affects the patients daily activities due to fatigue,a child cannot go to school most of the day if,avoid social places to prevent infection, strenuous activity or exercise is restricted.Adults has to be cautious in working Olav from accidental injury.

Diagnosis:

• Blood test (Decreased Heamoglobin,increased wbc,increased reticulocyte count )
• Hbs and HbC gives a confirmation of disease (The blood smear reveals the cells as S or C shaped ,sickled)
• High performance liquid chromatography

Treatment

• Prevention of infection
• Blood transfusion
• Pain management
• Bone marrow transplant
• Penicillin and folic acid supplements daily

Prevention

• No marriages with close relation
• Avoiding child birth, if both the parents are carier of the disease

Prognosis :

With appropriate treatment and management life can be prolonged to 40 to 60 years