Megaloblastic Anaemia: Signs & Symptoms PDF

Megaloblastic anaemia: signs & symptoms Gavin Knight  Learning Objectives Upon completion of this session, you should be able to: 1) Recognise the common signs and symptoms associated with cobalamin and/or folate deficiency. 2) Compare and contrast the signs and symptoms and explain the...

Megaloblastic anaemia: signs & symptoms Gavin Knight  Learning Objectives Upon completion of this session, you should be able to: 1) Recognise the common signs and symptoms associated with cobalamin and/or folate deficiency. 2) Compare and contrast the signs and symptoms and explain the biological causes of each.  Clinical Symptoms Lethargy Weakness Yellow or waxy pallor Glossitis with beefy red tongue /smooth pale tongue Loss of appetite / weight Neurological symptoms in cobalamin deficiency Peripheral neuropathy Cognitive impairment/decline COBALAMIN DEFICIENCY 1) Cord or peripheral-nerve syndromes present with: Symmetrical distal sensory symptoms – feet > hands Diminished vibration sense and proprioception in the legs Impaired distal cutaneous sensation Limb reflexes exaggerated/diminished/absent 2) Lateral column involvement: Spastic paraparesis Autonomic bladder, bowel or sexual symptoms SUBACUTE COMBINED DEGENERATION OF THE CORD Conscious proprioception Unconscious proprioception Control of skilled movement From Gyure Spongy or vacuolar degeneration KA. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cnssubacutecombined.html of the spinal cord white matter.  Summary Clinical manifestations of megaloblastic anaemia are associated with the processes of: Ineffective erythropoiesis Abnormal DNA synthesis and cell cycling Deranged myelin synthesis While early stages of the disease are easily treated, progressive neurodegeneration is problematic and can prove irreversible if not thoroughly investigated and treated promptly