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.