Anemia of spaceflight
Background
The anemia of space flight (1% Hb loss per day)[1][2][3] It was first described in relation to the Gemini astronauts.[4]
- Reports describe from 10% to 15% of Hb decrease from preflight levels within 10 to 14 days of space flight[5]
Clinical Features
General Anemia Symptoms
- Most patients begin to be symptomatic at ~7gm/dL
- Weakness, fatigue, lethargy, dyspnea on exertion, palpitations
- Skin, nail bed, mucosal pallor
- Widened pulse pressure
- Jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly (hemolysis)
- Peripheral neuropathy (B12 deficiency)
Differential Diagnosis
Anemia
RBC Loss
RBC consumption (Destruction/hemolytic)
- Hereditary
- Acquired
- Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia (MAHA)
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Impaired Production (Hypochromic/microcytic)
- Iron deficiency
- Anemia of chronic disease
- Thalassemia
- Sideroblastic anemia
Aplastic/myelodysplastic (normocytic)
Megaloblastic (macrocytic)
- Vitamin B12/folate deficiency
- Drugs (chemo)
- HIV
Evaluation
Workup
Diagnosis
Management
Disposition
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Leach CS, Johnson PC. Influence of spaceflight on erythrokinetics in man. Science. 1984;225(4658):216-218.
- ↑ Udden MM, Driscoll TB, Pickett MH, Leach-Huntoon CS, Alfrey CP. Decreased production of red blood cells in human subjects exposed to microgravity. J Lab Clin Med. 1995;125(4):442-449.
- ↑ Alfrey CP, Udden MM, Leach-Huntoon C, Driscoll T, Pickett MH. Control of red blood cell mass in spaceflight. J Appl Physiol. 1996; 81(1):98-104.
- ↑ Fischer CL, Johnson PC, Berry CA. Red blood cell mass and plasma volume changes in manned space flight. JAMA. 1967;200(7): 579-583.
- ↑ LeBlanc A, Schneider V, Shackelford L, et al. Bone mineral and lean tissue loss after long duration space flight. J Musculoskel Neuron Interact 2000; 1(2):157–160