Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

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Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Synonyms	AIHA
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Fatigue (medical), pallor, jaundice, shortness of breath, tachycardia
Complications	Heart failure, splenomegaly, thrombosis
Onset	Any age, but more common in adults
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Autoimmune disease, idiopathic, drug-induced
Risks	Systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, HIV/AIDS
Diagnosis	Coombs test, complete blood count, blood smear
Differential diagnosis	Hereditary spherocytosis, G6PD deficiency, cold agglutinin disease
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, splenectomy, blood transfusion
Medication	Prednisone, rituximab
Prognosis	Variable; depends on underlying cause and response to treatment
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), is a medical condition wherein the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys red blood cells, leading to anemia. This condition can be acute or chronic and can range from mild to severe.

Introduction

AIHA occurs when the body produces antibodies that specifically target its own red blood cells. These antibodies can cause the red blood cells to burst (hemolyze) or can result in their premature removal by the spleen or liver.

Causes

There are a number of reasons why AIHA might develop, including:

• Underlying diseases or conditions, such as lupus or certain types of cancer.
• Certain medications.
• After a viral infection.
• Due to genetic predisposition.
• Unknown causes - termed as idiopathic.

Types of AIHA

AIHA can be categorized based on the temperature at which the antibodies are most active:

• Warm AIHA: This is the most common type, where antibodies act best at body temperature. They can be idiopathic or related to an underlying condition.
• Cold AIHA: Here, antibodies are active at colder temperatures, often triggered after exposure to cold environments.

Symptoms

Patients with AIHA might exhibit various symptoms, including:

• Fatigue and weakness.
• Pale or yellowish skin.
• Dark urine.
• Rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath.
• Enlarged spleen.

Treatment

The treatment for AIHA often involves:

• Stopping any medication causing the anemia.
• Corticosteroids to suppress the immune response.
• Immune suppression drugs.
• Blood transfusions in severe cases.
• Surgical removal of the spleen in some situations.

See Also

• Anemia
• Immune system disorders
• Blood disorders

References

• Mayo Clinic - AIHA
• MedlinePlus - AIHA