Immune hemolytic anemia

Alternative names:

anemia - immune hemolytic

Definition:

A disorder of premature destruction of red blood cells that is a result of an abnormality of the immune system.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Immune hemolytic anemia occurs when antibodies form against the body's own blood cells. The antibodies may be acquired by blood transfusion, pregnancy (if the baby's blood type is different from the mother's), as a complication of another disease, or from the blood cells' reaction to medications. If the cause of antibody formation is disease or medication, it is referred to as secondary immune hemolytic anemia. The antibodies will destroy the blood cells because they are recognized as foreign substances within the body. The cause may also be unknown, as in idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia, which accounts for one-half of all immune hemolytic anemias. The onset of the disease may be quite rapid and very serious, or it may remain mild and not require specific therapy. Risk factors are related to the causes. The incidence is 1 out of 1,000 people.