SYSTEMATIC DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH TO A SPECTRUM OF RED CELL ABNORMALITIES IN UNDIAGNOSED ANEMIAS IN EGYPTIAN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

iagnosis of the cause of anemia may be straightforward using thorough history taking, including family history and perinatal events, physical examination and simple laboratory investigations. In contrast patients with uncommon or rare congenital anemias, especially those who are severe and transfusion dependant often remain undiagnosed. These undiagnosed anemia patients represent a unique clinical entity in tertiary hematology centers. Reaching their confirmed diagnosis is challenging and requires series of complex and expensive investigations.