Aplastic anemia physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Shyam Patel [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Nazia Fuad M.D.

Common physical examination findings of aplastic anemia include pale color, short stature, dyspnea, petechiae, purpura, ecchymoses, jaundice, pallor, and bruises. Patients can present with oral leukoplakia, pharyngeal ulcers, necrotizing gingivitis, and tonsillitis.

• Pallor^[1]
• Short stature

• Fever
• Tachycardia with regular pulse
• Bradypnea

• Petechiae
• Purpura
• Ecchymoses
• Jaundice
• Pallor
• Bruises

• Icteric sclera
• Nystagmus
• Microcephaly
• Microphthalmos
• Oral leukoplakia
• Pharyngeal ulcers
• Necrotizing gingivitis
• Tonsillitis

• Neck examination of patients with aplastic anemia is usually normal.

• Pulmonary examination of patients with aplastic anemia is usually normal unless patients develop pneumonia.
• Asymmetric chest expansion
• Hyperresonance
• Coarse crackles
• Rhonchi
• Decreased breath sounds
• Tachypnea
• Reduced tactile fremitus

• Arrythmias
• Murmur
• Chest pain

• Abdominal distention
• Diarrhea
• Splenomegaly
• Hepatomegaly

• Back examination of patients with aplastic anemia is usually normal.

• Hypogonadism

• Neuromuscular examination of patients with aplastic anemia is usually normal.