Haemolytic Health Dictionary

A potentially serious disease of the newborn, characterised by haemolytic ANAEMIA (excessive destruction of red blood cells) and JAUNDICE. If severe, it may be obvious before birth because the baby becomes very oedematous (see OEDEMA) and develops heart failure – so-called hydrops fetalis. It may ?rst present on the ?rst day of life as jaundice and anaemia. The disease is due to blood-group incompatibility between the mother and baby, the commoneset being rhesus incompatibility (see BLOOD GROUPS). In this condition a rhesus-negative mother has been previously sensitised to produce rhesus antibodies, either by the delivery of a rhesus-positive baby, a miscarriage or a mismatched blood transfusion. These antibodies cross over into the fetal circulation and attack red blood cells which cause HAEMOLYSIS.

Treatment In severely affected fetuses, a fetal blood transfusion may be required and/or the baby may be delivered early for further treatment. Mild cases may need observation only, or the reduction of jaundice by phototherapy alone (treatment with light, involving the use of sunlight, non-visible ULTRAVIOLET light, visible blue light, or LASER).

Whatever the case, the infant’s serum BILIRUBIN – the bilirubin present in the blood – and its HAEMOGLOBIN concentration are plotted regularly so that treatment can be given before levels likely to cause brain damage occur. Safe bilirubin concentrations depend on the maturity and age of the baby, so reference charts are used.

High bilirubin concentrations may be treated with phototherapy; extra ?uid is given to prevent dehydration and to improve bilirubin excretion by shortening the gut transit time. Severe jaundice and anaemia may require exchange TRANSFUSION by removing the baby’s blood (usually 10 millilitres at a time) and replacing it with rhesus-negative fresh bank blood. Haemolytic disease of the newborn secondary to rhesus incompatibility has become less common since the introduction of anti-D (Rho) immunoglobulin. This antibody should be given to all rhesus-negative women at any risk of a fetomaternal transfusion, to prevent them from mounting an antibody response. Anti-D is given routinely to rhesus-negative mothers after the birth of a rhesus-positive baby, but doctors should also give it after threatened abortions, antepartum haemorrhages, miscarriages, and terminations of pregnancy.

Occasionally haemolytic disease is caused by ABO incompatibility or that of rarer blood groups.... haemolytic disease of the newborn

A disease of children resulting in acute RENAL failure. A febrile illness of the gastrointestinal or respiratory tracts is followed by intravascular COAGULATION of blood which results in HAEMOLYSIS, ANAEMIA, THROMBOCYTOPAENIA and renal failure (resulting from ?brin deposition in renal arterioles and glomerular capillaries).

The death rate is 2–10 per cent and the majority of patients survive without renal failure. The longer the period of OLIGURIA, the greater the risk of chronic renal failure.

Treatment is supportive, with replacement of blood and clotting factors, control of HYPERTENSION, and careful observation of ?uid balance.... haemolytic uraemic syndrome

A blood condition due to abnormal destruction of red blood cells in the spleen.

Causes: hereditary background with deficiency of cell enzymes or cell membrane weakness; wrongly matched blood transfusion, environmental chemicals, food additives, colourings, drugs, infections. Symptoms. Pale face, sore tongue, headache, dizziness, palpitations, breathlessness, angina, weakness, loss of weight and appetite, jaundice (yellow skin), feverishness, vague aches and pains, enlarged spleen and pain under left ribs.

Treatment. Under hospital supervision.

Echinacea has a long reputation for regeneration of red blood cells: experience shows it beneficial for this type of anaemia. To assist control of symptoms: Gentian, Motherwort, Mugwort, Barberry, Hops, Saw Palmetto.

Bitter herbs stimulate the stomach, liver and pancreas. By increasing the appetite they benefit digestion and are given half an hour before meals by tea or decoction: Hops, Quassia chips, Angostura, Feverfew, Bogbean.

Formula. Tea. Milk Thistle 2; Betony 1; Hops 1. Mix. 1-2 teaspoon to each cup boiling water. Infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup, thrice daily.

Decoction. Echinacea 1; Sarsaparilla 1; Peruvian bark half; Saw Palmetto half. Mix. 2 teaspoons to 2 cups water, simmer gently 20 minutes. Half a cup, cold, thrice daily before meals.

For weak heart add one part Hawthorn; neurasthenia (Ginkgo); swelling of ankles (Lily of the Valley); loss of hormonal balance (Ginseng).

Prognosis. Surgical removal of spleen may be necessary.

Diet. Dandelion coffee, molasses, desiccated or fresh calves’ liver. Green leafy vegetables, dried beans, apricots. Shellfish, milk, eggs, Soya, meats. Supplements. Daily. Vitamin B12 1mg; Vitamin C, 1g; Folic acid 400mcg; Floradix. ... anaemia: haemolytic

See anaemia, haemolytic.... haemolytic anaemia

A rare disease in which red blood cells are destroyed prematurely and the kidneys are damaged, causing acute kidney failure. Thrombocytopenia can also occur. Haemolytic–uraemic syndrome most commonly affects young children and may be triggered by a serious bacterial or viral infection. Symptoms include weakness, lethargy, and a reduction in the volume of urine. Seizures may occur. Blood and urine tests can determine the degree of kidney damage. Dialysis may be needed until the kidneys have recovered. Most patients recover normal renal function.... haemolytic–uraemic syndrome

Severe disease of the newly born and infants with jaundice and anaemia. Occurs when a Rhesus negative mother gives birth to a Rhesus positive child. There may be degeneration of nerve cells of the brain through circulating bile. Followed by water-logging of tissues lining lungs, abdomen or heart (hydrops).

Treatment. Purpose of medication is to stimulate flow of bile and support the liver.

Arthur Hyde, MNIMH recommends a selection from the following according to individual case: Balmony, Barberry, Dandelion, Goldenseal, Hops, Ladyslipper, Mistletoe, Passion flower, Stone root. Tinctures. Formula. Marigold 2; Barberry 2; Ginkgo 1. Dose: 2 drops in feed, or in water, thrice daily. Infants 3-5 years: 10 drops.

To be treated by or in liaison with a qualified medical practitioner. ... haemolytic disease of infants

An uncommon cause of kidney failure in children. The association of three processes: reduced platelets, haemolytic anaemia and kidney failure. Foodborne infection is spread by micro-organisms (E. coli, etc) with an affinity for the alimentary canal. The central nervous system is involved.

Onset: diarrhoea with streaks of blood, vomiting, breathlessness, feverishness, dizziness, jaundice and enlargement of the spleen.

Other causes may be mismatched food transfusion, environmental chemicals, nitrite food preservatives and analgesic drugs.

Alternatives. Tea. Combine herbs: Red Clover (to increase platelets) 3; Yarrow (kidneys) 2; Hops (cerebrospinal supportive) 1. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup freely.

Formula: Combine, Tinctures. Red Clover 2; Fringe Tree 1; Hops half. Dose: one 5ml teaspoon. Babies: 2 drops in feed; infants 3-5 years 10 drops in water and honey thrice daily.

Supplementation. Vitamin B-complex. C.

To be treated by or in liaison with a qualified medical practitioner. ... haemolytic-uraemia syndrome (hus)

 Caused by disease toxins that kill off red blood cells, or autoimmune disease.

Treatment: emphasis is on new red cell production. Dosage would be according to individual tolerance. Alternatives. Tea. Mix equal parts: Agrimony, Clivers, Red Clover flowers. 2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes; one cup every 3 hours.

Decoction. Equal parts: Fringe Tree, Gentian, Milk Thistle. 2 teaspoons to each cup water gently simmered 20 minutes. Half-1 cup every 3 hours, or as much as tolerated.

Tablets/capsules. Red Clover, Ginseng.

Formula. Equal parts: Fringe Tree, Yellow Dock root, Dandelion. Dose – Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid Extracts: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Every 3 hours in water or honey. ... jaundice, haemolytic

A form of anaemia caused by premature destruction of red cells in the bloodstream (haemolysis). Haemolytic anaemias can be classified according to whether the cause of haemolysis is inside or outside the red cells.

When haemolysis is due to a defect inside the red cells, the underlying problem is abnormal rigidity of the cell membrane. This causes the cells to become trapped, at an early stage of their life-span, in the small blood vessels of the spleen, where they are destroyed by macrophages (cells that ingest foreign particles). Abnormal rigidity may result from an inherited defect of the cell membrane (as in hereditary spherocytosis), a defect of the haemoglobin in the cell (as in sickle-cell anaemia), or a defect of one of the cell’s enzymes. An inherited deficiency of the glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme (see G6PD deficiency) may result in episodes of haemolytic anaemia since the red cells are prone to damage by infectious illness or certain drugs or foods.

Haemolytic anaemias due to defects outside the red cells fall into 3 main groups. First are disorders in which red cells are destroyed by buffeting (by artificial surfaces such as replacement heart valves, abnormal blood-vessel linings, or a blood clot in a vessel, for example). In the 2nd group, the red cells are destroyed by the immune system. Immune haemolytic anaemias may occur if foreign blood cells enter the bloodstream, as occurs in an incompatible blood transfusion, or they may be due to an autoimmune disorder. In haemolytic disease of the newborn, the baby’s red cells are destroyed by the mother’s antibodies crossing the placenta. Thirdly, the red cells may be destroyed by microorganisms; the most common cause is malaria. People with haemolytic anaemia may have symptoms common to all types of anaemia, such as fatigue and breathlessness, or symptoms specifically due to haemolysis, such as jaundice.

Diagnosis is made by examination of the blood (see blood film). Some inherited anaemias can be controlled by removing the spleen (see splenectomy). Others, such as G6PD deficiency, can be prevented by avoiding the drugs or foods that precipitate haemolysis. Anaemias due to immune processes can often be controlled by immunosuppressant drugs. Transfusions of red cells are sometimes needed for emergency treatment of life-threatening anaemia.... anaemia, haemolytic