MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hemolytic crisis

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Hemolytic crisis

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Considerations Common Causes	Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Alternative names

Hemolysis - acute

Definition Return to top

Hemolytic crisis is the rapid destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) beyond that for which the body can compensate by increasing blood cell production.

Considerations Return to top

Rapid destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) can be triggered in a wide variety of conditions, both because of defects within the cell and abnormalities in the blood environment. These conditions are called hemolytic anemias.

Anemia is present because there is always some degree of hemolysis with resulting decreased hematocrit. In some hemolytic anemias, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), exposure to certain chemicals can synchronize the destruction of the RBCs.

Massive RBC destruction causes an acute (and often profound) anemia because the body is unable to compensate by making enough blood cells to replace those destroyed. This can also cause overloading of the kidneys with free hemoglobin. Hemolytic crises in G6PD can be fatal.

Common Causes Return to top

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
Membrane defects in RBCs
Immune hemolytic anemia
Sickle cell disease

Home Care Return to top

Consult your health care provider.

Call your health care provider if Return to top

Your urine appears red, red-brown, or brownish (tea-colored) due to hemoglobin in the urine.
You experience fatigue, pale skin, or other symptoms of anemia, especially if they worsen or if new symptoms develop.
You notice a decrease in the volume of urine produced.

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

Emergency treatment may be necessary. This may include hospitalization, administration of oxygen, blood transfusions, and other treatments.

When your condition is stable, your medical history will be obtained and a physical examination will be performed.

Medical history questions documenting hemolytic crisis in detail may include the following:

When did you first notice symptoms?
What symptoms did you notice?
Do you have a known medical history of a hemolytic anemia, G6PD deficiency, or kidney disorder?
Have you ever experienced this before?
- Was hospitalization required?
- What was the treatment?
- What was the outcome?

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

Diagnostic tests may include the following:

CBC
Blood chemistry studies to check the kidney function (BUN and creatinine level)
Kidney or abdominal ultrasound
Kidney or abdominal CT scan
Other tests depending on the suspected cause of the hemolytic crisis

Update Date: 8/18/2003

Updated by: Corey Cutler, M.D., M.P.H., F.R.C.P.C., Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Instructor in Medicine, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.