Hemolytic anemias are conditions in which the blood is low in oxygen because the red blood cells are breaking down at a faster rate than their normal life expectancy of 120 days.
Inherited hemolytic anemias are caused by inborn defects in components of the red blood cells--the cell membrane, the enzymes, or the hemoglobin
Acquired hemolytic anemias are those that result from various other causes. With this type, red cells are produced normally, but are prematurely destroyed
Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) is part of a group of disorders called hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemias.
In about 15% of cases, the baby is severely affected and dies before birth. Babies who survive pregnancy may develop kernicterus, which can lead to deafness, speech problems, cerebral palsy, or mental retardation.
Ictotest is used to measure the presence of the bile pigment, bilirubin, in urine. It can help in diagnosing conditions such as liver diseases, hemolytic anemias, or biliary obstruction.
Diseases that affect both the immune system and circulatory system include temporal arteritis and other autoimmune vasculitides, immune-modulated hemolytic anemias, and lupus-related heart disease, for a few examples.
Haemin crystals are needle-like structures that form when hemoglobin is oxidized and turns into methemoglobin. These crystals are commonly seen in blood smears from patients with certain types of hemolytic anemias or hemoglobinopathies. They are visualized under a microscope and their presence can aid in diagnosing these conditions.
Hemolytic anemia indicates the early destruction of red blood cells. This can occur as inherited or acquired hemolytic anemia. Certain medicines can cause acquired hemolytic anemia, please check with the doctor.
A Coomb's test will indicate the formation of antibodies on the red blood cell. This test can be used to determine blood type, and diagnose certain hemolytic anemias. A Coombs' test may also indicate the prescense of maternal antibodies against the fetal blood type as occurs in erythroblastosis fetalis.
DefinitionHemolytic anemiacaused by chemicals and toxins is a lack of enough red blood cells due to the destruction of red blood cells triggered by exposure to certain chemicals or toxins.Alternative NamesAnemia - hemolytic - caused by chemicals or toxinsCauses, incidence, and risk factorsPossible substances that can cause hemolytic anemia include:Anti-malaria drugs (quinine compounds)ArsenicDapsoneIntravenouswater infusion (not half-normal saline or normal saline)Metals (chromium/chromates, platinum salts, nickel compounds, copper, lead, cis-platinum)NitritesNitrofurantoinPhenazopyridine (Pyridium)Rho immune globulin (WinRho)RibavirinSnake bites(some snake venom contains hemolytic toxins)SulfonamidesSulfonesReferencesSchwartz RS. Autoimmune and intravascular hemolytic anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 164.Schrier SL, Price EA. Extrinsic nonimmune hemolytic anemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 48.
Xanthocytes are red blood cells that have an abnormal shape, often due to lipid accumulation in the cell membrane. They can be seen in conditions such as liver disease, obstructive jaundice, or hemolytic anemias. Their presence on a blood smear can provide important diagnostic information.
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