Summary
- Presents with acute or subacute development of fatigue or jaundice, and may include orthostasis and mild splenomegaly.
- Anaemia, reticulocytosis, low haptoglobin, high LDH, and high indirect bilirubin suggest haemolysis.
- Direct antiglobulin test (Coombs') is important for differentiating immune from non-immune aetiologies. Peripheral smear review is important in identifying underlying cause.
- Corticosteroids are often first-line therapy in immune-mediated cases. Discontinuation of offending agents (e.g., suspected drugs) and supportive care are the mainstay of treatment for many subtypes.
- Early vaccination against encapsulated organisms is important if splenectomy is possible.
Other related conditions
- Transfusion reaction
- Rh incompatibility
- Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
- Alpha-thalassaemia
- Beta-thalassaemia
- Anaemia of chronic disease
- Aplastic anaemia
- Assessment of anaemia
- Assessment of jaundice
- Assessment of liver dysfunction
- Cholelithiasis
- Folate deficiency
- Pre-eclampsia
- HELLP syndrome
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Myelofibrosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Malaria infection
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Assessment of splenomegaly
Last updated: Apr 29, 2013
