What is hemolytic disease

Hemolytic disease is the rupture of red blood cells in the body and the escape of hemoglobin is called erythrocyte lysis or hemolysis. Depending on where the red blood cells rupture, it can be divided into intravascular hemolysis (red blood cells are destroyed in the blood vessels) and extravascular hemolysis (red blood cells are destroyed in the spleen). Intravascular hemolysis is most often seen when the wrong blood is transfused, and the patient will have back pain in the extremities. It can also be seen in paroxysmal sleep hemoglobinuria (PNH), poisoning, biological or physicochemical factors such as radiation, and the extrusion of red blood cells after mechanical stents are placed. Extravascular hemolysis is mostly seen caused by abnormal red blood cells, such as hereditary spherocytosis with abnormal membranes, serpentine disease with abnormal red blood cell enzymes, and marine anemia with abnormal beads. Patients often present with splenomegaly, jaundice, and anemia, and splenectomy is an effective treatment for patients with extravascular hemolysis.