What is hemolytic anemia?
Hemolytic anemia is a disorder in which the red blood cells are destroyed faster than your child's bone marrow can produce them. The term for destruction of red blood cells is "hemolysis." There are two types of hemolytic anemia:
- Intrinsic — the destruction of the red blood cells due to a defect within the red blood cells themselves. Intrinsic hemolytic anemias are often inherited, such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. These conditions produce red blood cells that do not live as long as normal red blood cells.
- Extrinsic — red blood cells are produced healthy but are later destroyed by getting trapped in the spleen, destroyed by infection, or destroyed from drugs that can affect red blood cells. The following lists some of the causes of extrinsic hemolytic anemia, also called autoimmune hemolytic anemia:
- Infections: hepatitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), typhoid fever, E. coli, or streptococcus
- Medications, such as penicillin, antimalaria medications, sulfa medications, or acetaminophen
- Leukemia or lymphoma
- Autoimmune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE, or lupus), rheumatoid arthritis, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, or ulcerative colitis
- Various tumors
Some types of extrinsic hemolytic anemia are temporary and resolve over several months. Other types can become chronic with periods of remissions and recurrence.
Signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia
Each child with hemolytic anemia may have different symptoms of the disorder. The following are some of the most common symptoms:
- Abnormal paleness or lack of color of the skin
- Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Dark color to urine
- Fever
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Intolerance to physical activity
- Enlargement of the spleen and liver
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Heart murmur
The symptoms of hemolytic anemia may resemble other blood conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
Testing and diagnosis for hemolytic anemia
Diagnosing hemolytic anemia begins with a complete medical history and physical examination of your child. In addition, your child's physician may order the following diagnostic tests:
- Blood tests - to measure hemoglobin and reticulocyte count (to find out how many new red blood cells your child's body is producing); to check liver function, and the presence of certain antibodies
- Urine tests
- Bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy - a procedure that involves taking a small amount of bone marrow fluid (aspiration) and/or solid bone marrow tissue (called a core biopsy), usually from the hip bones, to be examined for the number, size, and maturity of blood cells and/or abnormal cells.
Treatments for hemolytic anemia
Specific treatment for hemolytic anemia will be determined by your child's physician based on:
- Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent of the anemia
- Cause of the anemia
- Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the anemia
- Your opinion or preference
The treatment for hemolytic anemia will vary depending on the cause of the illness. Treatment may include:
- Blood transfusions
- Corticosteroid medications
- Treatment with intravenous immune globulin (to strengthen the immune system)
In more severe cases, the following treatments may be necessary and usually require hospitalization:
- Exchange transfusion (similar to a blood transfusion but with more blood being given and an equal amount of the child's hemolyzed blood being removed)
- Surgical removal of the spleen (usually reserved for children who do not respond to other therapies)
- Immunosuppressive therapy
Resources to help
Division of Hematology Resources
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