Haemolytic Anaemia
Overview
Haemolytic anaemia is a condition in which 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. Haemolytic anaemia can lead to various health problems such as fatigue, pain, arrhythmias, an enlarged heart and heart failure.
There are many types of haemolytic anaemias – some of which are inherited and others that are acquired.
Inherited haemolytic anaemias include
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Thalassaemias
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Hereditary elliptocytosis
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency
Acquired haemolytic anaemias include
- Immune haemolytic anaemia
- Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
- Alloimmune haemolytic anaemia
- Drug-induced haemolytic anaemia
- Mechanical haemolytic anaemias
- Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
- Certain infections and substances can also damage red blood cells and lead to haemolytic anaemia
Causes
The immediate cause of haemolytic anaemia is the early destruction of red blood cells. 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 haemolytic anaemia isn’t known.
- In inherited haemolytic anaemias, the genes that control how red blood cells are made are faulty. Different types of faulty genes account for the different types of inherited haemolytic anaemias. In each type of inherited haemolytic anaemia, the body makes abnormal red blood cells. The problem with the red blood cells may involve the haemoglobin, cell membrane, or enzymes that maintain healthy red blood cells.
- In acquired haemolytic anaemias, 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.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptom of all types of anaemia is fatigue. A low red blood cell count can also cause shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, coldness in your hands or feet, pale skin, gums and nail beds, as well as chest pain.
Symptoms of haemolytic anaemia include
- Jaundice
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Leg ulcers and pain
- A severe reaction to a blood transfusion
Treatment
Treatments for haemolytic anaemia include blood transfusions, medicines, plasmapheresis, surgery, blood and marrow stem cell transplants and lifestyle changes.
People who have mild haemolytic anaemia may not need treatment, as long as the condition doesn’t worsen. People with severe haemolytic anaemia usually need ongoing treatment.
Risk
Haemolytic anaemia can affect people of all ages, races and sexes.