What are the symptoms of autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is caused by a disorder in the patient's immune function, which causes the body's antibodies to attach to the surface of red blood cells, leading to more severe anemia in the patient. The patient often becomes pale and weak. For patients in the acute stage, it often causes symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, persistent high fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea, which are particularly harmful to the patient.

(I) Warm antibody type

The main symptoms are paroxysmal pale complexion, weakness, hemoglobinuria (soy sauce color, wine color or strong tea color), often accompanied by jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly, with splenomegaly being the main symptom. Generally, it is divided into two types according to the severity of the disease:

1. The acute type usually occurs in infants under 3 years old, with male children being the majority. There is a history of prodromal infection, especially viral infection, 1-2 weeks before the onset of the disease. The onset is acute, with fever, chills, vomiting, abdominal pain, progressive anemia, jaundice, splenomegaly, and often bloody proteinuria. In severe cases, acute renal failure may occur. A small number of patients have thrombocytopenia. Skin hemorrhage occurs, which is called EVS syndrome. The clinical course of acute patients is self-limited, and hemolysis stops on its own 1-2 weeks after onset. About 50% of patients recover within 3 months. Patients with Evans syndrome may die from bleeding.

2. The chronic type is more common in older children, and primary cases account for the majority. The onset is slow and may present as progressive or intermittent hemolysis. The main clinical manifestations are anemia, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, often accompanied by bloody proteinuria. The clinical course is chronic. Repeated infections aggravate hemolysis, anemia and jaundice. Chronic type of illness usually lasts more than 3 months. Primary cases can last for 10 to 20 years, and patients with Evans syndrome often have worse symptoms afterward. If there are repeated secondary infections or combined immunodeficiency diseases, the mortality rate is 11%-36%.

(II) Cold antibody type

1. Cold agglutinin disease is more common in children under 5 years old. It is often secondary to infectious mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus infection, mycoplasma pneumonia, etc. The onset is acute, with the main symptoms being flare-ups at the ears, nose tip, fingers, and toes after being exposed to cold, and Raynaud's sign disappearing as the environment warms. The clinical course is self-limited. There may be varying degrees of jaundice and anemia, which will disappear as the primary acne heals.

2. Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria can occur in children after one year old, and there are also primary patients. The disease develops suddenly after being exposed to cold, with prominent symptoms including fever, chills, abdominal pain, back pain, anemia and hemoglobinuria. Most of the symptoms will be relieved within a few hours, but may recur after being exposed to cold.

The above is an introduction to the clinical symptoms of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. I believe that through the above introduction, you have a deeper understanding of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. I hope that the above content can be helpful to you. Finally, I wish you good health!