Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsTypesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Types
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body. When you haveanemia, you don’t have a sufficient number of healthy red blood cells. When you havehemolytic anemia, red blood cells are destroyed faster than usual. Some cases of hemolytic anemia are chronic and slow, while others can be life-threatening.
This article will cover the causes of hemolytic anemia in children and adults, symptoms, the three different types, and the most common treatment methods used.
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What Causes Hemolytic Anemia?
Your body makes new red blood cells in thebone marrow, the soft tissue in bones where all blood cells are formed. When you have hemolytic anemia, red blood cells are destroyed through a process calledhemolysis.
How Hemolytic Anemias Attack Red Blood Cells
There are several potential causes for hemolytic anemia, including:
Hemolytic Anemia in Children vs. AdultsHemolytic anemia can affect both children and adults. The symptoms are similar for both age groups, but the cause of hemolytic anemia in children is more likely to be a viral infection.One type of hemolytic anemia, callederythroblastosis fetalis, orhemolytic disease of the fetus and newborncan occur when the fetus has a blood type that is incompatible with the pregnant person’s.
Hemolytic Anemia in Children vs. Adults
Hemolytic anemia can affect both children and adults. The symptoms are similar for both age groups, but the cause of hemolytic anemia in children is more likely to be a viral infection.One type of hemolytic anemia, callederythroblastosis fetalis, orhemolytic disease of the fetus and newborncan occur when the fetus has a blood type that is incompatible with the pregnant person’s.
Hemolytic anemia can affect both children and adults. The symptoms are similar for both age groups, but the cause of hemolytic anemia in children is more likely to be a viral infection.
One type of hemolytic anemia, callederythroblastosis fetalis, orhemolytic disease of the fetus and newborncan occur when the fetus has a blood type that is incompatible with the pregnant person’s.
Not everyone with hemolytic anemia will have symptoms, especially if their case is mild. Common symptoms of hemolytic anemia include:
Other symptoms that may occur include:
These Symptoms May Not Indicate Hemolytic AnemiaThe symptoms from hemolytic anemia may occur because of low blood counts or from the red blood cells getting destroyed in the body. These symptoms also resemble symptoms of many other health conditions, so having the symptoms does not necessarily indicate hemolytic anemia. You should always talk with your healthcare provider to help pinpoint what is causing your symptoms.
These Symptoms May Not Indicate Hemolytic Anemia
The symptoms from hemolytic anemia may occur because of low blood counts or from the red blood cells getting destroyed in the body. These symptoms also resemble symptoms of many other health conditions, so having the symptoms does not necessarily indicate hemolytic anemia. You should always talk with your healthcare provider to help pinpoint what is causing your symptoms.
Types of Hemolytic Anemia
There are three types of hemolytic anemia: extrinsic, intrinsic, and erythroblastosis fetalis.
Extrinsic
Intrinsic
When red blood cells get destroyed more rapidly because of a defect in the cells, this is called intrinsic hemolytic anemia.
Disorders that can lead to intrinsic hemolytic anemia include:
Erythroblastosis Fetalis
In some people, hemolytic anemia is temporary. For others, it will occur and then recur chronically.
A healthcare provider who suspects hemolytic anemia will ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. Other tests you may need include:
Treating Hemolytic Anemia
Your healthcare provider will decide on the best treatment for your hemolytic anemia based on your age, medical history, and the severity of your anemia. Here is more information on some of the most common treatments used:
Summary
Hemolytic anemia is the name for a condition in which your body destroys red blood cells too quickly. It has several potential causes, including certain genetic disorders and autoimmune diseases. Symptoms may include fatigue and breathing problems.
A complete blood count and other diagnostic tests can help a healthcare provider determine if you have hemolytic anemia. Treatments include a red blood cell transfusion, IVIG, and immunosuppressants.
A Word From Verywell
It can be discouraging to experience symptoms of hemolytic anemia, especially since symptoms can indicate so many other health conditions. Keep in mind that although hemolytic anemia can be serious, it also is treatable. If you have hemolytic anemia, work with your healthcare provider to find the best treatment for you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, it can be curable with the right treatments. If you have an inherited form of hemolytic anemia, you may need treatments for it throughout your life. Some milder cases of hemolytic anemia do not require treatment.Learn MoreHow Anemia Is TreatedWithout the right treatment, hemolytic anemia can cause serious heart issues. These include heart failure, cardiomyopathy (when the heart muscle has a hard time pumping blood to the rest of the body), and irregular heart rhythms.Learn MoreThe Association Between Anemia and Heart FailureHaving inherited blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease, can raise your risk of hemolytic anemia. Cancers like leukemia and lymphoma also increase hemolytic anemia risk. Having infections like Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis) and autoimmune diseases like lupus also raise the risk for this type of anemia.Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Anemia
Yes, it can be curable with the right treatments. If you have an inherited form of hemolytic anemia, you may need treatments for it throughout your life. Some milder cases of hemolytic anemia do not require treatment.Learn MoreHow Anemia Is Treated
Yes, it can be curable with the right treatments. If you have an inherited form of hemolytic anemia, you may need treatments for it throughout your life. Some milder cases of hemolytic anemia do not require treatment.
Learn MoreHow Anemia Is Treated
Without the right treatment, hemolytic anemia can cause serious heart issues. These include heart failure, cardiomyopathy (when the heart muscle has a hard time pumping blood to the rest of the body), and irregular heart rhythms.Learn MoreThe Association Between Anemia and Heart Failure
Without the right treatment, hemolytic anemia can cause serious heart issues. These include heart failure, cardiomyopathy (when the heart muscle has a hard time pumping blood to the rest of the body), and irregular heart rhythms.
Learn MoreThe Association Between Anemia and Heart Failure
Having inherited blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease, can raise your risk of hemolytic anemia. Cancers like leukemia and lymphoma also increase hemolytic anemia risk. Having infections like Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis) and autoimmune diseases like lupus also raise the risk for this type of anemia.Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Anemia
Having inherited blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease, can raise your risk of hemolytic anemia. Cancers like leukemia and lymphoma also increase hemolytic anemia risk. Having infections like Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis) and autoimmune diseases like lupus also raise the risk for this type of anemia.
Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Anemia
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Hemolytic anemia. MedlinePlus.Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.Hemolytic anemia.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Hemolytic anemia.Boston Children’s Hospital.Hemolytic anemia.Britannica.Erythroblastosis fetalis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemolytic anemia.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Hemolytic anemia.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Hemolytic anemia. MedlinePlus.Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.Hemolytic anemia.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Hemolytic anemia.Boston Children’s Hospital.Hemolytic anemia.Britannica.Erythroblastosis fetalis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemolytic anemia.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Hemolytic anemia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Hemolytic anemia. MedlinePlus.Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.Hemolytic anemia.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Hemolytic anemia.Boston Children’s Hospital.Hemolytic anemia.Britannica.Erythroblastosis fetalis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemolytic anemia.National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Hemolytic anemia.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Hemolytic anemia. MedlinePlus.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.Hemolytic anemia.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Hemolytic anemia.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Hemolytic anemia.
Britannica.Erythroblastosis fetalis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemolytic anemia.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.Hemolytic anemia.
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