BLOOD DISORDERS

ANEMIA
o Iron-Deficiency Anemia (most common)
o Aplastic Anemia - bone marrow does not produce enough RBC
o Hemorrhagic anemia - due to extreme blood loss
o Pernicious anemia - B12 deficiency
o Sickle Cell Anemia (genetic)

LEUKEMIA
o Type of cancer
o Overproduction of immature white blood cells
o They take the place of RBCs
o Treatable with bone marrow transplants, chemothemotherapy, radiation

INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS
Sometimes called "mono" or "the kissing disease," is an infection usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
EBV is very common, and many people have been exposed to the virus at some time in childhood.

BLOOD POISONING - SEPTICEMIA
o An infection enters the blood stream, can be deadly
o Treated with antibiotics
THROMBOCYTOPENIA
o Low production of Platelets, Causing bleeding or bruising

 

The Genetics of Sickle Cell Anemia

Genetic Disorder, Abnormally shaped blood cells
Parents can be carriers (asymptomatic)


Sickle Cell Anemia is actually codominant

AA = normal
Aa = sickle cell trait (few symptoms)
aa = sickle cell anemia

 

Complications

Pain
Lethargy
Lifelong anemia (low red blood count)
Organ failure
Stroke

The Genetics of Hemophilia

Hemophilia is sex-linked, meaning it is carried on the X chromosome.
Females can be normal, carriers, or have the disease
Males can be normal or have the disease, but they cannot be carriers

When a female with hemophilia has children, she will pass the gene to each of her sons.