What Is Hemolytic Anemia?
Hemolytic anemia (HEE-moh-lit-ick uh-NEE-me-uh) is a
condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the
bloodstream before their normal lifespan is up.
Red blood cells are disc-shaped and look like
doughnuts without holes in the center. These cells carry oxygen and remove
carbon dioxide (a waste product) from your body. Red blood cells are made in
the bone marrow—a sponge-like tissue inside the bones. They live for about
120 days in the bloodstream and then die.
White blood cells and platelets (PLATE-lets) also
are made in the bone marrow. White blood cells help fight infection. Platelets
stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop
bleeding.
When blood cells die, the body's bone marrow makes
more blood cells to replace them. However, in hemolytic anemia, the bone marrow
can't make red blood cells fast enough to meet the body's needs.
Hemolytic anemia can lead to various health
problems, such as fatigue (tiredness), pain,
arrhythmias
(ah-RITH-me-ahs), an enlarged heart, and
heart
failure.
Overview
Hemolytic anemia is a type of
anemia.
The term "anemia" usually refers to a condition in which your blood has a lower
than normal number of red blood cells. This condition also can occur if your
red blood cells don't contain enough hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). This
iron-rich protein helps carry oxygen to your body.
Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of
red blood cell production, or high rates of red blood cell destruction.
Hemolytic anemia is due to high rates of red blood
cell destruction. A number of diseases, conditions, and factors can cause the
body to destroy its red blood cells.
These causes can be inherited or acquired.
"Inherited" means your parents passed the gene for the condition on to you.
"Acquired" means you aren't born with the condition, but you develop it.
Sometimes the cause of hemolytic anemia isn't known.
Outlook
There are many types of hemolytic anemia. Treatment
and outlook depend on what type you have and how severe it is. The condition
can develop suddenly or slowly. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Hemolytic anemia often can be successfully treated
or controlled. Mild hemolytic anemia may need no treatment at all. Severe
hemolytic anemia requires prompt and proper treatment or it may be fatal.
Inherited forms of hemolytic anemia are lifelong
conditions that may require ongoing treatment. Acquired forms of anemia may go
away if the cause of the condition is found and corrected.
Types of Hemolytic Anemia
There are many types of hemolytic anemia. The
condition can be inherited or acquired. "Inherited" means your parents passed
the gene for the condition on to you. "Acquired" means you aren't born with the
condition, but you develop it due to another disease, condition, or factor.
Inherited Hemolytic Anemias
With inherited hemolytic anemias, one or more of the
genes that control red blood cell production are faulty. The defects may
involve the hemoglobin, cell membrane, or enzymes that maintain healthy red
blood cells.
The abnormal cells may be fragile and break down
while moving through the bloodstream. If this happens, an organ called the
spleen may remove the cell debris from the bloodstream.
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle
cell anemia is a serious, inherited disease. In this disease, the body
makes abnormal hemoglobin. This causes the red blood cells to have a sickle, or
"C," shape.
Sickle cells don’t last as long as healthy red
blood cells. They usually die after only about 10 to 20 days. The bone marrow
can’t make new red blood cells fast enough to replace the dying ones.
Sickle cell anemia mainly affects people of African
descent.
Thalassemias
Thalassemias
are inherited blood disorders in which the body doesn’t make enough of
certain types of hemoglobin. This causes the body to make fewer healthy red
blood cells than normal.
Thalassemias most often affect people of Southeast
Asian, Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Mediterranean, or African origin or
descent.
Hereditary Spherocytosis
In this condition, a defect in the surface membrane
(the outer covering) of red blood cells causes them to take on a sphere, or
ball-like, shape. These blood cells have a lifespan that’s shorter than
normal.
Hereditary spherocytosis (SFER-o-si-to-sis) is the
most common cause of hemolytic anemia among people of Northern European
descent.
Hereditary Elliptocytosis (Ovalocytosis)
This condition also involves a problem with the cell
membrane. With this condition, the red blood cells are elliptic (oval) in
shape. They aren't as flexible as normal red blood cells, and they have a
shorter lifespan.
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD)
Deficiency
In G6PD deficiency, the red blood cells are missing
an important enzyme called G6PD. G6PD is part of the normal chemistry inside
red blood cells.
In G6PD deficiency, if red blood cells come into
contact with certain substances in the bloodstream, the missing enzyme causes
the cells to rupture and die.
A number of factors can trigger the breakdown of the
red blood cells. Examples include taking sulfa or antimalarial medicines; being
exposed to naphthalene, a substance found in some moth balls; eating fava
beans; or having an infection.
G6PD deficiency mostly affects males of African or
Mediterranean descent. It affects about 1 in 10 African American males.
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
With this condition, your body is missing an enzyme
called pyruvate kinase. Not having enough of this enzyme causes red blood cells
to break down easily.
This disorder is more common among the Amish than
other groups.
Acquired Hemolytic Anemias
With acquired hemolytic anemias, your red blood
cells may be normal. However, some other disease or factor causes the body to
destroy red blood cells and remove them from the bloodstream.
The destruction of the red blood cells occurs in the
bloodstream or, more commonly, in the spleen.
Immune Hemolytic Anemia
In immune hemolytic anemia, your immune system
destroys your red blood cells. The three main types of immune hemolytic anemia
are: autoimmune, alloimmune, and drug-induced.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA).
In this condition, your immune system makes antibodies (proteins) that attack
your red blood cells. Why this happens isn’t known. AIHA accounts for half
of all cases of hemolytic anemia. AIHA may come on very quickly and become
serious. It’s most common in people older than 40.
Having certain diseases or infections can raise your
risk for AIHA. Examples include:
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other blood
cancers
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Cytomegalovirus
- Mycoplasma
pneumonia
- Hepatitis
- HIV
In some types of AIHA, the antibodies made by the
body are called warm antibodies. This means they’re active (that is, they
destroy red blood cells) at warm temperatures, such as body temperature.
In other types of AIHA, the body makes cold-reactive
antibodies, which become active in colder temperatures. Cold-reactive
antibodies can become active when parts of the body, such as the hands or feet,
are exposed to temperatures lower than 32 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 10
degrees Celsius).
Warm antibody AIHA is more common than cold-reactive
antibody AIHA.
Alloimmune hemolytic anemia. This
type of hemolytic anemia occurs if your body makes antibodies against red blood
cells that you get from a
blood
transfusion. This can happen if the transfused blood is a different blood
type than your blood.
This type of hemolytic anemia also can occur during
pregnancy if there’s a difference in blood type between the mother and the
fetus. For more information, see the Diseases and Conditions Index
Rh
Incompatibility article.
Drug-induced hemolytic anemia.
Certain medicines can cause a reaction that develops into hemolytic anemia.
Some medicines, such as penicillin, bind to red blood cell surfaces and can
cause antibodies to develop.
Other medicines cause hemolytic anemia in other
ways. Examples of such medicines include acetaminophen; quinine and
antimalarial medicines; anti-inflammatory medicines; and levodopa.
Mechanical Hemolytic Anemias
Physical damage to red blood cell membranes can
cause them to break down faster than normal. Damage may be due to:
- Changes in the small blood vessels.
- An artificial heart valve or other device used in
blood vessels.
- A heart-lung bypass machine, which may be used
during open-heart
surgery.
- Preeclampsia (pre-e-KLAMP-se-ah) or eclampsia.
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure during pregnancy. Eclampsia, which follows
preeclampsia, is a serious condition that causes seizures in pregnant
women.
Blood cell damage also may occur in the limbs while
participating in marathons or other strenuous activities.
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a
disorder in which the red blood cells are abnormal due to a lack of certain
proteins. The body destroys these cells more quickly than normal.
People who have PNH are at increased risk for blood
clots in the veins and low levels of white blood cells and platelets.
Other Causes of Damage to Red Blood Cells
Certain infections and substances also can damage
red blood cells and lead to hemolytic anemia. Examples include malaria and
blackwater fever, tick-borne diseases, snake venom, and toxic
chemicals.
Other Names for Hemolytic Anemia
- Alloimmune hemolytic anemia
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA)
- Drug-induced hemolytic anemia
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
deficiency
- Hereditary elliptocytosis
- Hereditary ovalocytosis
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Immune hemolytic anemia
- Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
- Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency
- Sickle
cell anemia
- Thalassemias
What Causes Hemolytic Anemia?
The immediate cause of hemolytic anemia is the early
destruction of red blood cells. This means that red blood cells are destroyed
and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is up.
A number of diseases, conditions, and factors can
cause the body to destroy its red blood cells. These causes can be inherited or
acquired. Sometimes, the cause of hemolytic anemia isn't known.
For more information on specific causes of hemolytic
anemia, see "Types of Hemolytic Anemia."
Inherited Hemolytic Anemias
In inherited hemolytic anemias, the genes that
control how red blood cells are made are faulty. You can receive a faulty red
blood cell gene from one or both of your parents.
Different types of faulty genes account for the
different types of inherited hemolytic anemia. In each type of inherited
hemolytic anemia, the body makes abnormal red blood cells.
The problem with the red blood cells may involve the
hemoglobin, cell membrane, or enzymes that maintain healthy red blood
cells.
The abnormal cells may be fragile and break down
while moving through the bloodstream. If this happens, an organ called the
spleen may remove the cell debris from the bloodstream.
Acquired Hemolytic Anemias
In acquired hemolytic anemias, the body makes normal
red blood cells. However, some disease, condition, or factor destroys the cells
too early. Examples include immune disorders, infections, and reactions to
medicines or
blood
transfusions.
Who Is At Risk for Hemolytic Anemia?
Hemolytic anemia can affect people of all ages and
races and both sexes.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is slightly more common
in women older than 40. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is
more common among males.
Some types of hemolytic anemia are more likely to
occur in certain populations than others. For example,
sickle
cell anemia mainly affects people of African descent. G6PD deficiency
affects males of African or Mediterranean descent. About 1 in 10 African
American men have G6PD deficiency.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hemolytic
Anemia?
Signs and symptoms will depend on the type of
hemolytic anemia you have and how severe it is.
People who have mild hemolytic anemia often have no
signs or symptoms. More severe hemolytic anemia may cause a number of signs and
symptoms, and they may be serious.
Many of the signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia
apply to all types of
anemia.
Signs and Symptoms of Anemia
The most common symptom of all types of anemia is
fatigue (tiredness). This symptom is due to your body not having enough red
blood cells to carry oxygen to its various parts.
A low red blood cell count also can cause shortness
of breath; dizziness, especially when standing up; headache; coldness in your
hands or feet; pale skin, gums, and nail beds; and chest pain.
A lack of red blood cells also means that your heart
has to work harder to move oxygen-rich blood through your body. This can lead
to arrhythmias,
a
heart
murmur, an enlarged heart, or even
heart
failure.
Signs and Symptoms of Hemolytic Anemia
Jaundice
Jaundice refers to a yellowish color of the skin or
whites of the eyes. When red blood cells die, they release hemoglobin into the
bloodstream.
The hemoglobin is broken down into a compound called
bilirubin, which gives the skin and eyes a yellowish color. Bilirubin also
causes urine to be dark yellow or brown.
Pain in the Upper Abdomen
Pain in the upper abdomen may be due to gallstones
or an enlarged spleen. High levels of bilirubin and cholesterol (from the
breakdown of red blood cells) can form into stones in the gallbladder. These
stones can be painful.
The spleen is an organ in the abdomen that helps
fight infection and filters out old or damaged blood cells. In hemolytic
anemia, the spleen may be enlarged, which can be painful.
Leg Ulcers and Pain
In people who have
sickle
cell anemia, the sickle-shaped cells can clog small blood vessels and block
blood flow. This can cause leg sores and pain in different parts of the
body.
A Severe Reaction to a Blood Transfusion
You may develop hemolytic anemia due to a
blood
transfusion. This can happen if the transfused blood is a different blood
type than your blood.
Signs and symptoms of a severe reaction to this
procedure include fever, chills,
low
blood pressure, and
shock
(a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body isn’t getting
enough blood flow).
How Is Hemolytic Anemia Diagnosed?
Hemolytic anemia is diagnosed based on your medical
and family histories, a physical exam, and the results from tests.
Specialists Involved
Primary care doctors, such as a family doctor or
pediatrician, may help diagnose and treat hemolytic anemia. Your primary care
doctor also may refer you to a hematologist (blood disease specialist).
Doctors and clinics that specialize in treating
inherited blood disorders, such as
sickle
cell anemia and
thalassemias,
also may be involved.
If you have an inherited form of hemolytic anemia,
you may want to consult a genetic counselor. A counselor can help you
understand your risk of having a child who has the condition and the choices
that are available to you.
Medical and Family Histories
To find out the cause and severity of hemolytic
anemia, your doctor may ask detailed questions about your symptoms, personal
medical history, and your family medical history.
He or she may ask whether:
- You or anyone in your family has had problems
with
anemia
- You've recently had any illnesses or medical
conditions
- You take any medicines, and which ones
- You've been exposed to certain chemicals or
substances
- You have an artificial heart valve or other
medical device that could damage your red blood cells
Physical Exam
Your doctor will do a physical exam to check for
signs of hemolytic anemia. He or she will try to find out how severe the
condition is and what’s causing it.
The exam may include:
- Checking for jaundice (a yellowish color of the
skin or whites of the eyes)
- Listening to your heart for rapid or abnormal
heartbeats
- Listening for rapid or uneven breathing
- Feeling your abdomen to check the size of your
spleen
- Doing a pelvic and rectal exam to check for
internal bleeding
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
A number of tests are used to diagnose hemolytic
anemia. These tests can help confirm a diagnosis, look for a cause, and find
out how severe the condition is.
Complete Blood Count
Often, the first test used to diagnose hemolytic
anemia is a
complete
blood count (CBC). The CBC measures many different parts of your blood.
This test checks your hemoglobin and hematocrit
(hee-MAT-oh-crit) levels. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells
that carries oxygen to the body. Hematocrit is a measure of how much space red
blood cells take up in your blood. A low level of hemoglobin or hematocrit is a
sign of anemia.
The normal range of these levels may vary in certain
racial and ethnic populations. Your doctor can explain your test results to
you.
The CBC also checks the number of red blood cells,
white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. Abnormal results may be a sign
of hemolytic anemia, a different blood disorder, an infection, or another
condition.
Finally, the CBC looks at mean corpuscular
(kor-PUS-kyu-lar) volume (MCV). MCV is a measure of the average size of your
red blood cells. The results may be a clue as to the cause of your anemia.
Other Blood Tests
If the CBC results confirm that you have anemia, you
may need other blood tests to find out what type of anemia you have and how
severe it is.
Reticulocyte count. A reticulocyte
(re-TIK-u-lo-site) count measures the number of young red blood cells in your
blood. The test shows whether your bone marrow is making red blood cells at the
correct rate.
People who have hemolytic anemia usually have high
reticulocyte counts because their bone marrow is working hard to replace the
destroyed red blood cells.
Peripheral smear. For this test,
your doctor will look at your red blood cells through a microscope. Some types
of hemolytic anemia change the normal shape of the red blood cells.
Coombs' test. This test can show
whether your body is making antibodies (proteins) to destroy red blood
cells.
Haptoglobin, bilirubin, and liver function
tests. When red blood cells break down, they release hemoglobin into
the bloodstream. The hemoglobin combines with a chemical called haptoglobin. A
low level of haptoglobin in the bloodstream is a sign of hemolytic anemia.
Hemoglobin is broken down into a compound called
bilirubin. High levels of bilirubin in the blood may be a sign of hemolytic
anemia. High levels of this compound also occur with some liver and gallbladder
diseases. As a result, you may need liver function tests to find out
what’s causing the high bilirubin levels.
Hemoglobin electrophoresis. This
test looks at the different types of hemoglobin in your blood. It can help
diagnose the type of anemia you have.
Testing for paroxysmal nocturnal
hemoglobinuria (PNH). In PNH, the red blood cells are missing certain
proteins. The test for PNH can detect red blood cells that are missing these
proteins.
Osmotic fragility test. This test
looks for red blood cells that are more fragile than normal. These cells may be
a sign of hereditary spherocytosis.
Testing for glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. In G6PD deficiency, the red blood
cells are missing an important enzyme called G6PD. The test for G6PD deficiency
looks for this enzyme in a sample of blood.
Bone Marrow Tests
Bone
marrow tests show whether your bone marrow is healthy and making enough
blood cells. The two bone marrow tests are aspiration (as-pi-RA-shun) and
biopsy.
For a bone marrow aspiration, your doctor removes a
small amount of fluid bone marrow through a needle. The sample is examined
under a microscope to check for faulty cells.
A bone marrow biopsy may be done at the same time as
an aspiration or afterward. For this test, your doctor removes a small amount
of bone marrow tissue through a needle. The tissue is examined to check the
number and types of cells in the bone marrow.
You may not need bone marrow tests if blood tests
show what's causing your hemolytic anemia.
Tests for Other Causes of Anemia
Because anemia has many causes, you may have tests
for conditions such as:
- Kidney failure
- Lead poisoning
- Vitamin or iron deficiency
Newborn Testing for Sickle Cell Anemia and G6PD
Deficiency
All States mandate screening for sickle cell anemia
as part of their newborn screening programs. Most States also mandate screening
for G6PD deficiency. These inherited types of hemolytic anemia can be detected
with routine blood tests.
It's important to diagnose these conditions as early
as possible so that children can get proper treatment.
How Is Hemolytic Anemia Treated?
Treatments for hemolytic anemia include
blood
transfusions, medicines, plasmapheresis, surgery,
blood
and marrow stem cell transplants, and lifestyle changes.
People who have mild hemolytic anemia may not need
treatment, as long as the condition doesn't worsen. People who have severe
hemolytic anemia usually need ongoing treatment. Severe hemolytic anemia can be
fatal if it’s not properly treated.
Goals of Treatment
The goals of treating hemolytic anemia include:
- Reducing or stopping the destruction of red blood
cells
- Increasing the red blood cell count to an
acceptable level
- Treating the underlying cause of the
condition
Treatment will depend on the type, cause, and
severity of the hemolytic anemia you have. Your doctor also will consider your
age, overall health, and medical history.
If you have an inherited form of hemolytic anemia,
it’s a lifelong condition that may require ongoing treatment. If you have
an acquired form of hemolytic anemia, it may go away once its cause can be
found and corrected.
Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions are used to treat severe or
life-threatening hemolytic anemia.
A blood transfusion is a common procedure in which
blood is given to you through an intravenous (IV) line in one of your blood
vessels. Transfusions require careful matching of donated blood with the
recipient’s blood.
Medicines
Medicines can improve some types of hemolytic
anemia, especially autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Corticosteroid
medicines, such as prednisone, are used to limit or prevent your immune system
from making antibodies against red blood cells.
If you don't respond to corticosteroids, your doctor
may prescribe other medicines to suppress your immune system.
If you have severe
sickle
cell anemia, your doctor may recommend a medicine called hydroxyurea. This
medicine reduces the number of red blood cells with abnormal hemoglobin that
your body makes. It also promotes the production of red blood cells with normal
hemoglobin.
Plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis is a procedure that removes
antibodies from the blood. For this procedure, blood is taken from your body
using a needle inserted into a vein.
The plasma, which contains the antibodies, is
separated from the rest of the blood. Then, plasma from a donor and the rest of
the blood is put back in your body.
This treatment may help if other treatments for
immune hemolytic anemia don't work.
Surgery
Some people who have hemolytic anemia may need
surgery to remove their spleens. The spleen is an organ in the abdomen. A
healthy spleen helps fight infection and filters out old or damaged blood
cells.
An enlarged or diseased spleen may remove more red
blood cells than normal, causing anemia. Removing the spleen can stop or reduce
high rates of red blood cell destruction.
Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant
In some types of hemolytic anemia, such as
thalassemias,
the bone marrow doesn’t make enough healthy red blood cells. The red blood
cells it does make may be destroyed before their normal lifespan is over. Blood
and marrow stem cell transplants may be used to treat these types of hemolytic
anemia.
A blood and marrow stem cell transplant replaces
damaged stem cells with healthy ones from another person (a donor).
During the transplant, which is like a blood
transfusion, you get donated stem cells through a tube placed in a vein. Once
the stem cells are in your body, they travel to your bone marrow and begin
making new blood cells.
Lifestyle Changes
If you have AIHA with cold-reactive antibodies, try
to avoid cold temperatures. This can help prevent the breakdown of red blood
cells. It’s very important to protect your fingers, toes, and ears from
the cold.
To protect yourself, you can:
- Wear gloves or mittens when taking food out of
the refrigerator or freezer.
- Wear a hat, scarf, and a coat with snug cuffs
during cold weather.
- Turn down air conditioning or dress warmly while
in an air-conditioned space.
- Warm up the car before driving in cold
weather.
People born with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
(G6PD) deficiency can avoid substances that may trigger anemia. For example,
avoid fava beans, naphthalene (a substance found in some moth balls), and
certain medicines (as your doctor advises).
How Can Hemolytic Anemia Be Prevented?
You can’t prevent inherited types of hemolytic
anemia. One exception is glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
deficiency.
If you’re born with G6PD deficiency, you can
avoid substances that may trigger the condition. For example, avoid fava beans,
naphthalene (a substance found in some moth balls), and certain medicines (as
your doctor advises).
Some types of acquired hemolytic anemia can be
prevented. For example, reactions to
blood
transfusions, which can cause hemolytic anemia, can be prevented. This
requires careful matching of blood types between the blood donor and the
recipient.
Prompt and proper prenatal care can help you avoid
the problems of
Rh
incompatibility. A difference in blood type between a pregnant woman and
her fetus causes this condition. Rh incompatibility can lead to hemolytic
anemia in a fetus or newborn.
Living With Hemolytic Anemia
Hemolytic anemia can be mild or severe. Inherited
forms of hemolytic anemia are lifelong conditions and may require ongoing
treatment. Acquired forms of the condition may go away if the cause is found
and corrected.
Ongoing Care
If you have hemolytic anemia, it's important to take
care of your health. See your doctor regularly and follow your treatment plan.
Talk to your doctor about whether you should get a yearly flu shot and a
pneumonia
vaccine.
Ask your doctor about ways to reduce your chance of
getting an infection. For example, you may want to:
- Stay away from people who are sick and avoid
large crowds of people.
- Avoid certain kinds of foods that can expose you
to bacteria, such as uncooked foods.
- Wash your hands often.
- Brush and floss your teeth and get regular dental
care to reduce the risk of infection in your mouth and throat
Lifestyle Changes
You can take steps to stay healthy. Try to get
plenty of rest.
If you have cold-reactive autoimmune hemolytic
anemia, stay away from cold temperatures. During cold weather, wear a hat,
scarf, and a warm coat. When taking cold food out of the refrigerator or
freezer, wear gloves. Turn down air conditioning or dress warmly while in an
air-conditioned space. Warm up the car before driving in cold weather.
If you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
deficiency, avoid substances that can trigger anemia. For example, avoid fava
beans, naphthalene (a substance found in some moth balls), and certain
medicines (as your doctor advises).
Talk to your doctor about what types and amounts of
physical activity are safe for you. You may want to avoid certain sports or
activities that could worsen your condition or lead to complications.
Hemolytic Anemia and Children
Parents of children who have hemolytic anemia
usually want to learn as much as possible about the condition from their
child’s health care team.
You can be an active partner in caring for your
child. Talk to your child’s health care team about treatment, diet, and
appropriate physical activities.
Learn the signs of worsening anemia and possible
complications so you can contact your child’s doctor.
You may want to educate family members, friends, and
your child’s classmates about hemolytic anemia. You also may want to tell
your child’s teachers or other caregivers about the condition. Let them
know whether your child has any special limitations or restrictions.
Family members, friends, teachers, and caregivers
can provide a network of support to help your child cope with his or her
hemolytic anemia.
Allow teenagers to have input in decisions about
their care. This encourages them to take an active role in their health care.
Help them understand lifestyle restrictions and their medical needs so they can
better cope with having hemolytic anemia.
Key Points
- Hemolytic anemia is a condition in which red
blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal
lifespan is up.
- Hemolytic anemia is a type of
anemia.
The term "anemia" usually refers to a condition in which your body has a lower
than normal number of red blood cells. Anemia has three main causes: blood
loss, lack of red blood cell production, or high rates of red blood cell
destruction. Hemolytic anemia is due to high rates of red blood cell
destruction.
- Hemolytic anemia can lead to a number of health
problems, such as fatigue (tiredness), pain,
arrhythmias,
an enlarged heart, and
heart
failure.
- There are many types of hemolytic anemia. The
condition can be inherited or acquired. With inherited hemolytic anemias, one
or more of the genes that control red blood cell production are faulty. This
causes your bone marrow to make abnormal red blood cells that die or are
destroyed too early. With acquired hemolytic anemias, some other disease or
factor causes your body to destroy red blood cells and remove them from the
bloodstream.
- Hemolytic anemia can affect people of all ages
and both sexes. Some types of the condition are more likely to occur in certain
populations than in others.
- Signs and symptoms will depend on the type of
hemolytic anemia you have and how severe it is. People who have mild hemolytic
anemia often have no signs or symptoms. More severe hemolytic anemia may cause
various signs and symptoms, and they may be serious.
- Signs and symptoms may include fatigue; shortness
of breath; dizziness; headache; coldness in your hands or feet; pale skin,
gums, and nail beds; chest pain; jaundice (a yellowish color of the skin or
whites of the eyes); pain in the upper abdomen; leg ulcers and pain; and a
severe reaction to a
blood
transfusion.
- Hemolytic anemia is diagnosed based on your
medical and family histories, a physical exam, and the results from tests.
- Treatment for hemolytic anemia depends on what
type of the condition you have and how severe it is. Treatment may include
blood transfusions, medicines, plasmapheresis, surgery, a
blood
and marrow stem cell transplant, and lifestyle changes. People who have
mild hemolytic anemia may not need treatment, as long as the condition
doesn’t worsen.
- You usually can't prevent inherited types of
hemolytic anemia, but you may be able to prevent some types of acquired
hemolytic anemia.
- If you have hemolytic anemia, it’s important
to take care of your health. See your doctor regularly for ongoing care. Follow
your treatment plan and make lifestyle changes as your doctor recommends. If
your child has hemolytic anemia, talk to his or her health care team about
treatment, diet, and appropriate physical activities.
Links to Other Information About Hemolytic
Anemia
NHLBI Resources
Non-NHLBI Resources
Clinical Trials
|
DCI Home:
Blood Diseases: Hemolytic Anemia: Printer Friendly Summary Page 
