Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Disease Overview

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) occurs when your immune system makes antibodies that attack your red blood cells. This causes a drop in the number of red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia.[5702][5703][5704][5705] Symptoms may include unusual weakness and fatigue with tachycardia and breathing difficulties, jaundice, dark urine and/or splenomegaly. AIHA can be primary (idiopathic) or result from an underlying disease or medication.[5703] The condition may develop gradually or occur suddenly. There are two main types of autoimmune hemolytic anemia: warm antibody hemolytic anemia and cold antibody hemolytic anemia.[5703][5704][5705] Treatment may include corticosteroids such as prednisone, splenectomy, immunosuppressive drugs and/or blood transfusions.[5704]

Synonyms

• Anemia hemolytic autoimmune
• Acquired autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Familial auto-immune hemolytic anemia (subtype)
• Immuno-hemolytic anemia