INCIDENCE OF HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN CENTRAL KERALA, INDIA.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Sunitha Balakrishnan,
Associate Professor in Pathology,
Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala.
E-mail: sunithaharibala@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Haemolytic anaemias can be classified as intrinsic, where the cause is related to the defect in red cells or extrinsic, where factors external to the RBC cause red cell destruction. In intrinsic type the abnormality is in the RBC membrane, enzyme or haemoglobin, whereas in extrinsic type the abnormality is immune mediated due to toxins or direct trauma. They can also be classified as inherited haemolytic anaemias and acquired haemolytic anaemia. The present study was carried out to assess the magnitude of different types of haemolytic anaemias diagnosed in a tertiary care centre in central part of Kerala, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Thrissur, for a period of 3 years from 01-09-2012 to 31-08-2015. All the clinically suspected cases of haemolytic anaemias, i.e. cases with anaemia and jaundice were considered; the cases without definitive diagnosis were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

Total of 114 haemolytic anaemia cases were studied, of which 51.75% (59 cases) were females and 48.24% (55 cases) were males. Hereditary haemolytic anaemia accounted for 74.56% (85 cases) and acquired haemolytic anaemia were 25.43% (29 cases). The patients were in the age group of 3 days (new born) to 70 years.

DISCUSSION

Of the 114 cases, sickle cell disease was the commonest followed by microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. The other hereditary haemolytic anaemia in this study included thalassemia, sickle-thal, Hb E disease, Hb E -β Thal, hereditary spherocytosis, G6PD deficiency and porphyria. Acquired haemolytic anaemia include immune haemolytic anaemia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and drug-induced haemolysis.

CONCLUSION

The study is mainly done to assess the magnitude of haemolytic anaemia and the different aetiological factors. It also reveals the importance of additional investigations, which help considerably to find out the cause.

KEYWORDS

Sickle Cell Anaemia, Microangiopathic Haemolytic Anaemia, Immune Haemolytic Anaemia.