Haemolytic anaemia

Question 1

define haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 1

premature erythrocyte breakdown causing shortened erythrocyte life span (< 120 days)

Question 2

what are the two main subsets of haemolytic anaemia and what comes under them?

Answer 2

hereditary

• membrane defects
• metabolic defects
• Haemoglobinopathies

acquired

• immune disease
• alloimmune disease
• drugs
• trauma
• infection

Question 3

what are the different types of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 3

• Cold autoimmune anaemia
 Haemolysis at cold temperatures
 Presents with Raynaud’s phenomenon and acrocyanosis
• Warm autoimmune anaemia
 Haemolysis at extravascular sites at body temperature
 Specifically the SPLEEN

Question 4

what infection can cause haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 4

• Malaria
• Sepsis
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Infection by mycoplasma pneumoniae

Question 5

epidemiology of haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 5

• COMMON

* Genetic causes are prevalent if African, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern populations

Question 6

presenting symptoms of haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 6

• Jaundice
• Haematuria
• Anaemia

Question 7

investigations for haemolytic anaemia?

Answer 7

• coombs test to look for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
• bloods
• blood film

Question 8

what will the bloods show?

Answer 8

• Low Hb
• High reticulocytes
• Normocytic