Definition of Hemolytic crisis:

Hemolytic crisis occurs from the rapid destruction of large numbers of red blood cells (hemolysis). The destruction occurs much faster than the body can compensate by producing more red blood cells.

Considerations:

A hemolytic crisis causes acute (and often severe) anemia, because the body cannot make enough red blood cells to replace those destroyed. The part of red blood cells that carries oxygen (hemoglobin) is released into the circulation, which can lead to kidney damage.

Common Causes:

There are many causes of hemolysis, including:

• A lack of certain enzymes in red blood cells
• Autoimmune disease
• Certain infections
• Changes to the hemogloben molecules inside red blood cells
• Defects of the proteins that make up the internal framework of red blood cells
• Medication side effects
• Reactions to transfusions

Many of these conditions can lead to a hemolytic crisis.