Idiopathic Heinz body hemolytic anemia in an extremely low birth weight infant

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Iijima, Shigeo | Toyoda, Rina | Uga, Naoki

Affiliations: Department of Neonatology, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

Note: [] Corresponding author: Shigeo Iijima, MD, Department of Neonatology, Toho University School of Medicine, 6-11-1 Omori-nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8541, Japan. Tel.: +81 3 3762 4151; Fax: +81 3 3762 9376; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Hemolytic anemia with abundant Heinz bodies developed in an extremely low birth weight infant. The infant was born at 25 weeks' gestation with a birth weight of 741 g. The disorder manifested at 28 days of age after the acute period. Results of a routine weekly blood examination showed an unexpected sudden fall in the hemoglobin level and an increased total bilirubin level. Peripheral blood smear revealed that a high percentage of erythrocytes contained Heinz bodies. With repeated blood transfusions and aggressive phototherapy this condition resolved within a week. The patient had not been exposed to known toxins with oxidizing agents. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels were normal, and an unstable hemoglobin was not present. Although the cause and underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon are unknown, the immature antioxidant function of the erythrocyte membrane against oxygen radicals in an extremely premature infant might be a factor in the etiology.

Keywords: Heinz body, hemolytic anemia, extremely low birth weight infant

DOI: 10.3233/NPM-2010-0123

Journal: Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 241-244, 2010