Haemolytic anaemia is a condition caused by the destruction or 'lysis' of red blood cells, with a number of diverse causes

Aetiology

There are many diverse causes and it can be:

• Hereditary or acquired
• Classified based on the location of the haemolysis - intravascular or extravascular
• Autoimmune (Coombs positive) or nonautoimmune (Coombs negative)

Inherited haemolytic anaemias

Include:

• Hereditary spherocytosis
• Hereditary elliptocytosis
• Thalassaemia
• Sickle cell anaemia
• G6PD deficiency

Acquired haemolytic anaemias

Include:

• Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
• Alloimmune haemolytic anaemia (transfusions reactions and haemolytic disease of newborn)
• Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
• Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
• Prosthetic valve related haemolysis