Childen's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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My Child Has:
Red Blood Cell Disorders
Programs that treat this condition
Anemia and RBC Disorders  
Red blood cells are the components of blood that are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. A number of conditions can affect these important cells:
  • Hemolytic anemia is a condition where the body destroys its red blood cells faster than they can be produced. The condition can be intrinsic - caused by a disorder within the red blood cells themselves, or extrinsic - prompted by infection, medications, antibodies, or other causes. Treatment for hemolytic anemia may include blood transfusions, corticosteriod medications, intravenous immune globulin, and sometimes removal of the spleen or immunosuppressive therapy.

  • Hemochromatosis develops when the body builds up too much iron. The condition can be inherited, or acquired. Causes of aquired hemochromatosis include blood transfusions, liver disease or excessive iron supplements.

  • Hemolytic disease of the newborn.

  • Hereditary spherocytosis is a rare blood disorder that is characterized by defects within the red blood cells that cause the cells to die prematurely. Under a microscope the red blood cells of patients with the disorder are sphere shaped. This makes it difficult for the cells to pass through the spleen, the organ responsible for cleansing the blood, and can result in them being trapped and destroyed.

  • Iron deficiency anemia means the body has insufficient iron, an important component of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by:

    • diets that are low in iron,
    • body changes including growth spurts,
    • pregnancy and lactation,
    • abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract,
    • blood loss from bleeding, menstruation or injury.

    Typical treatment for iron deficiency anemia is increasing the amount of iron in the diet and iron supplements.

  • Polycythemia is a disease that causes the body to produce too many red blood cells. In severe cases, the illness can cause swelling in the spleen and increase risk of bleeding problems, clots, stroke and heart attack.

  • Red cell enzyme deficiencies.

  • Red cell membrane disorders.
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