Chapter 12: White Blood Cell Disorders

White Blood Cell Disorders

• Disorders affecting white blood cells may involve alterations in their production, function, or characteristics.
• High white blood cell counts (leukocytosis) often indicate infection, inflammation, or malignancy.
• Low white blood cell counts (leukopenia) can increase susceptibility to infections.
• Types of white blood cell disorders include leukemia, lymphomas, and myelodysplastic syndromes.
• Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming tissues leading to excessive production of abnormal white blood cells.
• Lymphomas are cancers that originate in the lymphatic system, affecting lymphocytes.
• Aplastic anemia is characterized by the failure of the bone marrow to produce adequate blood cells.

Red Blood Cell Disorders

• Red blood cell (RBC) disorders can result from issues in production, destruction, or loss of RBCs.
• Anemia is a condition marked by insufficient hemoglobin or red blood cells, leading to fatigue and weakness.
• Hemolytic anemia occurs when RBCs are destroyed faster than they can be produced.
• Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type and results from inadequate iron for hemoglobin production.
• Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder leading to misshapen red blood cells that impair oxygen transport.
• Polycythemia vera is a condition characterized by an overproduction of red blood cells, increasing blood viscosity.

Hemostasis and Coagulation Disorders

• Hemostasis refers to the process that prevents and stops bleeding, involving a complex interaction between blood vessels, platelets, and proteins.
• Coagulation disorders result from deficiencies or abnormalities in clotting factors, leading to increased bleeding or thrombosis.
• Hemophilia is an inherited disorder affecting the body's ability to control blood clotting due to insufficient clotting factors.
• Vitamin K deficiency can impair synthesis of clotting factors, leading to bleeding conditions.
• Thrombophilia increases the risk of blood clots due to abnormal coagulation processes.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious condition characterized by the systemic activation of blood clotting leading to multi-organ complications.