Clinical haematology · UKMLA & AKT
Sickle cell trait and variants
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise sickle cell trait and variants — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
Reticulocyte count is the key discriminator: LOW in aplastic crisis (bone marrow arrest); HIGH in haemolytic and sequestration crises (red cell destruction/trapping with marrow response).
Aplastic crisis - parvovirus B19 infects erythroid progenitors, transiently arresting red cell production. Sickle cell patients are uniquely vulnerable because they depend on rapid red cell turnover. Reticulocytopenia + severe anaemia + recent febrile illness (±slapped cheek rash) = aplastic crisis until proven otherwise.
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