Health Encyclopedia

Hemolytic crisis

Definition

Hemolytic crisis is the rapid destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis). The destruction occurs faster than the body can produce more red blood cells.

Alternative Names

Hemolysis - acute

Considerations

A hemolytic crisis causes acute (and often severe) anemia, because the body cannot make enough red blood cells to replace those destroyed. This can lead to kidney damage.

Hemolytic crises in persons with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency can be deadly.

Common Causes

Defects inside red blood cells and problems with the blood can lead to hemolytic anemias, which destroy red blood cells too early. Such conditions can lead to a hemolytic crisis.

Other causes include:

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
Sickle cell disease

Call your health care provider if

If you have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor:

Urine that looks red, red-brown, or brown (tea-colored)
Fatigue, pale skin, or other symptoms of anemia, especially if they get worse
A decrease in the amount of urine you produce

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Emergency treatment may be necessary. This may include a hospital stay, oxygen, blood transfusions, and other treatments.

When your condition is stable, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask questions, such as:

When did you first notice symptoms?
What symptoms did you notice?
Do you have hemolytic anemia, G6PD deficiency, or a kidney disorder?

The physical examination may occasionally show swelling of the spleen (splenomegaly).

Tests may include:

References

Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

Review Date:4/1/2007
Reviewed By:Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.