Hemolysis can lead to anemia, jaundice, hemoglobinuria, enlarged spleen, respiratory distress, and bilirubin encephalopathy.
1. Anemia: when hemolysis occurs, the destruction of red blood cells increases and the bone marrow does not compensate enough, which can lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood, and anemia occurs, resulting in the symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision and tinnitus.
2. Jaundice, hemoglobinuria: Because of hemolysis, red blood cells are destroyed in large quantities, hemoglobin flows out of red blood cells and is further decomposed into indirect bilirubin. When the concentration of indirect bilirubin increases, patients may show yellowing of skin and mucous membranes, i.e. jaundice. Some patients may also have hemoglobinuria, which can lead to damage of kidney function.
3. Enlarged spleen: hemolysis can lead to enlarged spleen, and in severe cases, it can lead to hypersplenism and reduction of whole blood cells.
4. Bilirubin encephalopathy: When hemolysis occurs in newborns, due to excessive production of indirect bilirubin, it passes through the blood-brain barrier and produces toxic effects on brain cells, resulting in bilirubin encephalopathy, which can be manifested as lethargy, weakening of sucking reflexes, and corneal arched reflexes, and so on, which is mostly seen in newborns with ABO hemolysis, and requires active phototherapy to promote the metabolism of indirect bilirubin.
In addition, it should be noted that during individual blood transfusion, hemolytic reaction can also occur, most commonly seen in ABO blood group incompatibility, etc. It is necessary to stop blood transfusion immediately, and according to the condition of anti-shock, prevention of renal failure, correction of water, electrolyte imbalance and other treatments.
When hemolysis occurs, it is necessary to go to the hospital in time and follow the doctor’s instructions.