Sideroblastic Anaemia (CSA)

Sometimes referred to as CSA (congenital sideroblastic anaemia), it is usually diagnosed in children but sometimes it can be diagnosed in babies or even in adults.
In CSA, the problem lies with a component of red blood cells called heam (or heme). The bone marrow of patients with CSA has a typical appearance (ring sideroblasts) and the diagnosis is usually not very difficult to make, but in some cases can be more challenging.
Some CSA patients have other serious complications such as muscle or brain abnormalities as well. The rest have only the anaemia. Some forms of sideroblastic anaemia are more common in men than women. Patients with CSA often get iron overload, even if they are not receiving blood transfusions.