Hemolytic crisis

Hemolytic crisis is the rapid destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) beyond that for which the body can compensate by increasing blood cell production.

Rapid destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) can be triggered in a wide variety of conditions, both because of defects within the cell and abnormalities in the blood environment. These conditions are called hemolytic anemias.

Anemia is present because there is always some degree of hemolysis with resulting decreased hematocrit. In some hemolytic anemias, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), exposure to certain chemicals can synchronize the destruction of the RBCs.

Massive RBC destruction causes an acute (and often profound) anemia because the body is unable to compensate by making enough blood cells to replace those destroyed. This can also cause overloading of the kidneys with free hemoglobin. Hemolytic crises in G6PD can be fatal.

• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
• Membrane defects in RBCs
• Immune hemolytic anemia
• Sickle cell disease

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