Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a rare acquired hematologic disorder characterized by the premature destruction of erythrocytes mediated by host autoantibodies directed against self-red blood cell surface antigens The disease affects both children and adults and can occur idiopathically as a primary disorder or secondary to underlying systemic autoimmune conditions, lymphoproliferative disorders, infections, or drug exposures Pathophysiologically, autoantibody binding—involving warm-reactive IgG,...

Pathophysiologically, autoantibody binding—involving warm-reactive IgG, cold-reactive IgM, or a combination—triggers red cell clearance via extravascular phagocytosis in the reticuloendothelial system or intravascular complement activation Clinical manifestations include fatigue, pallor, jaundice, and splenomegaly, with hallmark diagnostic findings of spherocytosis, reticulocytosis, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, decreased haptoglobin, and a positive direct antiglobulin test

Clinical manifestations include fatigue, pallor, jaundice, and splenomegaly, with hallmark diagnostic findings of spherocytosis, reticulocytosis, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, decreased haptoglobin, and a positive direct antiglobulin test