extrinsic haemolytic anaemia

Last reviewed 08/2021

Immune causes:

  • iso-immune - incompatibility, for example haemolytic disease of the newborn, blood transfusion incompatibility
  • autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

Non-immune causes:

  • red cell fragmentation:
    • in patients with prosthetic valves
    • "march haemoglobinuria" in soldiers and marathon runners
    • direct shearing of red cells in disseminated intravascular coagulation
    • thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura
  • sequestration in mononuclear phagocyte system - hypersplenism
  • infections e.g. malaria, black water fever, Clostridium welchii
  • chemicals e.g. lead, drugs, toxins