Hemolytic Anemia - Basic Features

Basic Features

Hemolytic anemia involves the following:

  1. Abnormal and accelerated destruction of red cells and, in some anemias, their precursors
  2. Increased breakdown of hemoglobin, which may result in:
    1. increased bilirubin level (mainly indirect-reacting) with jaundice
    2. increased fecal and urinary urobilinogen
    3. Hemoglobinanemia, methemalbuminemia, hemoglobinuria and hemosiderinuria (where there is significant intravascular hemolysis).
  3. Bone marrow compensatory reaction:
    1. Erythroid hyperplasia with accelerated production of red cells, reflected by reticulocytosis, and slight macrocytosis in peripheral blood
    2. Expansion of bone marrow in infants and children with severe chronic hemolysis - changes in bone configuration visible on X-ray
  4. The balance between red cell destruction and marrow compensation determines the severity of anemias.

Read more about this topic:  Hemolytic Anemia

Famous quotes containing the words basic and/or features:

    “Southerners, whose ancestors a hundred years ago knew the horrors of a homeland devastated by war, are particularly determined that war shall never come to us again. All Americans understand the basic lessons of history: that we need to be resolute and able to protect ourselves, to prevent threats and domination by others.”
    —Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)

    “Art is the child of Nature; yes,
    Her darling child, in whom we trace
    The features of the mother’s face,
    Her aspect and her attitude.”
    —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)