Hemolytic crisis
Alternate Names : Hemolysis - acute
Definition
Hemolytic crisis occurs from the rapid destruction of large numbers of red blood cells (hemolysis). The destruction occurs much faster than the body can produce new red blood cells.
Overview & Considerations
A hemolytic crisis causes acute (and often severe) anemia, because the body cannot make enough red blood cells to replace those that are destroyed. The part of red blood cells that carries oxygen (hemoglobin) is released into the bloodstream, which can lead to kidney damage.
Common Causes
There are many causes of hemolysis, including:
- A lack of certain enzymes inside red blood cells
- Autoimmune diseases
- Certain infections
- Defects in the hemoglobin molecules inside red blood cells
- Defects of the proteins that make up the internal framework of red blood cells
- Medication side effects
- Reactions to blood transfusions
Many of these conditions can lead to a hemolytic crisis.
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