Anemia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Anemia, including details on symptoms, diagnosis, diet, treatment, causes.

Predicting the development of anemia by measuring the diameter of the inferior vena cava of patients with spinal cord injury.

Hatanaka K, Yanagawa Y, Sakamoto T, Okada Y

Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Saitama 359, Japan. grd1908@ndmc.ac.jp

PURPOSE AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated whether measurement of the diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is useful in predicting the development of anemia in 12 patients with spinal cord injury. Measurement of the IVC was performed in conjunction with computed tomography scan upon arrival. The subjects were divided into two groups: those with a minimum (Min) hemoglobin (Hb) of less than 10 g/dL, and those with a Min Hb greater than 10 g/dL during hospitalization. RESULTS: The average diameter of IVC in the Hb<10 g/dL group was smaller that that in the Hb>10g/dL group. Blood pressure was not significantly different between the two groups. The difference between the Min and initial Hb value and incidence of blood transfusion in the Hb<10g/dL group was significantly greater than that in the Hb>10g/dL group. CONCLUSION: To predict the development of anemia, measurement of the IVC of patients with spinal cord injury may therefore be useful.

Published 15 April 2008 in Am J Emerg Med, 26(4): 446-9.
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Articles on Anemia published 15 April 2008:

Urinary loss of erythropoietin after intravenous versus subcutaneous epoetin-beta in preterm infants.   J Pediatr, 152(5): 728-30.

Hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic effects of recombinant erythropoietin (Epo) given to preterm infants are controversially discussed. Because renal loss of Epo was significantly higher after intravenous versus subcutaneous Epoetin-beta administration, we suggest a reconsideration of whether subcutaneous recombinant Epo is more efficient and safer because of lower peaks of circulating Epo. [Abstract] [Full-text]

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Articles on Anemia published 10 April 2008:

Severe vitamin B12 deficiency resulting in pancytopenia, splenomegaly and leukoerythroblastosis.   Eur J Haematol, 80(5): 448-51.

Deficiency of vitamin B12 is a well known cause of megaloblastic anemia and pancytopenia. Splenomegaly and leukoerythroblastosis are much less well known manifestations of B12 deficiency. We report a B12 deficient female with severe pancytopenia including normocytic anemia who also had enlarged spleen and circulating nucleated red blood cells as well as circulating immature myeloid cells. Although these findings are reported in the earlier literature, more modern reviews of the subject often ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Anemia published 2 April 2008:

Prevalence and risk factors of elevated pulmonary artery pressures in children with sickle cell disease.   Pediatrics, 121(4): 777-82.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the prevalence and risk factors of elevated pulmonary artery pressures in children with homozygous SS or Sbeta(0) thalassemia using Doppler echocardiography and (2) to determine a correlation between abnormal transcranial Doppler examinations and elevated pulmonary artery pressures. METHODS: Screening echocardiograms were prospectively performed during an annual comprehensive clinic visit on children who were older than 6 years and ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

A phase II dose finding study of darbepoetin alpha and filgrastim for the management of anaemia and neutropenia in chronic hepatitis C treatment.   J Viral Hepat, 15(5): 370-8.

Dose reductions of pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin may be avoided by using growth factors. This phase II clinical trial assesses the dose, efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alpha and filgrastim for treatment of anaemia and neutropenia associated with combination therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic hepatitis C patients (n = 101) received pegylated interferon alpha-2b (1.5 mug/kg once weekly) and ribavirin (800-1400 mg once daily). Patients with anaemia [haemoglobin (Hb) </= ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Incidence of anaemia and impact on sustained virological response in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.   J Viral Hepat, 15(5): 363-9.

Ribavirin (RBV) exposure is important for maximizing the response to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy. However, RBV-associated haemolytic anaemia may force dose reductions or even treatment discontinuation. The use of zidovudine might further increases the risk of anaemia in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients. The predictors of anaemia were examined in PRESCO, a large trial conducted in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients treated with pegylated interferon alpha-2a 180 mug/week plus RBV 1000-1200 ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Anemia published 1 April 2008:

Transfusion of packed red blood cells in patients with ischemic heart disease.   Crit Care Med, 36(4): 1068-74.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current literature concerning the utility of and complications associated with transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBC) in medical and surgical patients with ischemic heart disease. DATA SOURCES, STUDY SELECTION, AND DATA EXTRACTION: The PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine was searched for all studies investigating the use of PRBC in medical and surgical patients with cardiac disease published since 1999. Relevant background literature from before ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Anemia published 31 March 2008:

Alpha-thalassaemia in association with beta-thalassaemia patients in Malaysia: a study on the co-inheritance of both disorders.   Community Genet, 11(3): 129-34.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Individuals with double heterozygosity for alpha- and beta-thalassaemia and heterozygous beta-thalassaemia show a similar haematological picture. Co-inheritance of alpha- and beta-thalassaemia in both partners may result in pregnancies with either Hb Bart's hydrops foetalis or beta-thalassaemia major, or pregnancies with both disorders. METHODS: The co-inheritance of alpha-thalassaemia in 322 beta-thalassaemia carriers in Malaysia was studied. RESULTS: The frequency of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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