Sideroblastic Anaemia

• refractory anaemia

• marrow shows erythroblasts with ring of iron granules around nucleus

Causes

• Most commonly a primary acquired type (myelodysplastic)

• congenital - X-linked mutation in haem synthesis pathway

Sideroblasts also seen in

• other haematological disorders

• alcohol

• isoniazid therapy

• lead poisoning

Laboratory

• FBC

  • mild anaemia

  • ? leucopenia / thrombocytopenia

  • MCV raised in acquired, low in inherited

• Blood film

  • dimorphic

Treatment

• symptomatic

  • blood transfusion

  • iron chelation

• may respond to pyridoxine (vitamin B₆) if inherited

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