Hemolytic crisis is the rapid destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis). The destruction occurs faster than the body can produce more red blood cells.
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.
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
Reviewed last on: 4/1/2007
Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
References
Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.
