Intrinsic Hemolytic Anemias

Intrinsic hemolytic anemias is caused by a defect in the red blood cells themselves and result when one or more genes that control red blood cell production don’t function properly. This condition is often inherited, such as in people with sickle cell anemia or thalassemia, who have abnormal hemoglobin. These conditions produce red blood cells that do not live as long as normal red blood cells.

Defects intrinsic to the RBC that can cause hemolysis involve abnormalities of the RBC membrane, cell metabolism, or hemoglobin structure.

Abnormalities include hereditary cell membrane disorders, acquired cell membrane disorders, disorders of RBC metabolism and hemoglobinopathies.

Intrinsic hemolytic anemias are genetic conditions that patients are born with. These are called congenital hemolytic anemias. There are many types of congenital hemolytic anemias.

Types of inherited hemolytic anemia include:
*Sickle cell disease
*Thalassemia
*Red cell membrane disorders, such as hereditary spherocytosis, hereditary elliptocytosis and hereditary pyropoikliocytosis, hereditary stomatocytosis and hereditary xeocytosis

*Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD)
*Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
Intrinsic Hemolytic Anemias