Sideroblastic 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.

Patients usually presents with signs of anemia with pale skin, dyspnea, and tachycardia. Growth retardation is seen in children. Other signs include hypothermia, lead line on teeth margins, photosensitivity, petechiae, optic atrophy, ataxia, and incoordination. Hepatosplenomegaly is common patients with iron overload.

Patients with sideroblastic anemia may exibit following signs.^[1]

• Patients with sideroblastic anemia usually appear pale
• Growth retardation in children

• Hypothermia

• Photosensitivity
• Petechiae

• HEENT examination of patients with sideroblastic anemia is usually normal except:
  • Oral – Lead line on teeth margins
  • Eyes – Optic atrophy (associated with DIDMOAD syndrome)

• Jugular venous distension

• Pulmonary examination of patients with sideroblastic anemia is usually normal except
  • Dyspnea
  • Rales

• Arrhythmias
• Heart failure
• Chest pain
• S3 gallop

• Splenomegaly
• Diarrhea
• Hepatomegaly

• Back examination of patients with sideroblastic anemia is usually normal

• Genitourinary examination of patients with sideroblastic anemia is usually normal except:
  • Pink staining of diapers in childrens from porphyrins in urine

• Ataxia,
• Hyporeflexia
• Incoordination

• Extremities examination of patients with sideroblastic anemia is usually normal

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