Final answer:
A sudden drop in hematocrit (Hct) in a sickle cell kid can be explained by the excessive destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) in sickle cell anemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sudden drop in hematocrit (Hct) in a sickle cell kid can be explained by the excessive destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) in sickle cell anemia. This leads to anemia, which is characterized by a decrease in the number of RBCs in the blood.
The elevated levels of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) and indirect bilirubin, along with a decrease in haptoglobin, are indicative of increased RBC destruction. LDH is an enzyme released from damaged RBCs, while indirect bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin breakdown. Haptoglobin is a protein that binds to free hemoglobin and is decreased when there is excessive hemolysis.
Therefore, in a sickle cell kid with a sudden drop in Hct, the normal MCV (mean corpuscular volume) suggests that the size of the RBCs is not affected. However, the elevated LDH, indirect bilirubin, and decreased haptoglobin indicate increased RBC destruction, leading to anemia.