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Hereditary elliptocytosis

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Definition:

Hereditary elliptocytosis is a disorder passed down through families in which the red blood cells are oval-shaped.

See also: Hereditary spherocytosis

Alternative Names:

Elliptocytosis - hereditary

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Elliptocytosis affects about 1 in every 4,000-5,000 people. It is most common in people of African and Mediterranean descent. You are more likely to develop this condition if someone in your family has had it.

References:

Gallagher PG. Hereditary elliptocytosis: spectrin and protein 4.1R. Semin Hematol. 2004 Apr; 41(2): 142-64.

Kasper D, Braunwald E, Fauci A, et al. Harrison's Principals of Internal Medicine . 16th edition [online version]. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2005.

Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice . 4th ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

• Review Date: 4/1/2007
• Reviewed By: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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