Clinical and Laboratory Patterns of Hereditary Haemolytic Anemias in Children from Central Region of Romania

Abstract

Structural defects of the erythrocyte wall, enzyme defects and haemoglobinopathies may cause intrinsic haemolysis. We assessed the clinical and laboratory patterns of 44 patients with hereditary haemolytic anemias. Hereditary sphaerocytosis (HS) and thalassaemia minor and intermedia were equally represented with a mild male predominance in each group. Patients suffering from HS showed more severe clinical symptoms and laboratory changes than patients with thalassaemia minor and intermedia. HS represent a more prominent health care issue in our region compared to the minor forms of thalassaemia encountered in our population.