Hereditary ovalocytosis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Ovalocytosis - hereditary


Symptoms

Newborn infants with ovalocytosis may have anemia and jaundice. Adults usually do not show symptoms and are known as asymptomatic.


Signs and tests

An examination by your health care provider may occasionally show an enlarged spleen.

This condition is diagnosed by looking at the shape of blood cells under a microscope. The following tests may also be done:

  • Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia or red blood cell destruction
  • Blood smear to determine cell shape
  • Bilirubin level (may be high)
  • Lactate dehydrogenase level (may be high)
  • Ultrasound of the abdomen (may show gallstones)


Review Date: 02/05/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)