Hemolytic anemia

Hemolytic anemia is anemia caused by red blood cells being destroyed faster than the bone marrow can replace them. It may result from inherited red-cell defects or acquired immune, mechanical, infectious, and toxic causes.

Hemolysis: The destruction of red blood cells, releasing their contents into blood or tissues. It is the central process that makes this anemia hemolytic.
Hereditary spherocytosis: An inherited red-cell membrane disorder that produces spherical cells prone to splenic destruction. It is a classic inherited cause of predominantly extravascular hemolysis.
Anemia: A condition in which hemoglobin concentration or red-cell mass is below the expected range. Hemolytic anemia is one cause of the broader condition.
Iron-deficiency anemia: Anemia caused by insufficient iron for adequate hemoglobin production. It reflects impaired red-cell production rather than accelerated red-cell destruction.
Direct antiglobulin test: A test that detects antibodies or complement attached to red blood cells. It helps identify immune-mediated red-cell destruction.
Reticulocytosis: An increased proportion or number of immature red blood cells in the circulation. The marrow releases reticulocytes to compensate for accelerated red-cell loss.
Sickle cell disease: An inherited hemoglobin disorder in which deoxygenated hemoglobin S can deform red cells into sickle shapes. Sickling shortens red-cell survival and causes chronic hemolytic anemia.
Erythrocyte: A red blood cell that carries oxygen using hemoglobin. Its structure and lifespan determine which defects can lead to hemolysis.
Aplastic anemia: Bone-marrow failure that reduces production of red cells, white cells, and platelets. Low marrow output contrasts with the compensatory production typical of hemolysis.
Peripheral blood smear: A microscope examination of blood cells spread on a glass slide. Cell shapes such as spherocytes or schistocytes can point toward specific causes.

Linked from 18 pages