Blood samples
Hereditary Spherocytosis is an incurable and sometimes deadly blood disease. Hereditary Spherocytosis is a disease that is characterized by the formation of red blood cells that are abnormal or have weak cell walls causing them to lose their shape during filtering by the spleen. Normally, the red blood cells have a disc shape to them, which helps to carry oxygen to the entire body. When having this disease, the red blood cells enter the spleen as a disc but come out of the spleen completely closed as a circle. Sometimes, the spleen can completely destroy these cells. During this process, the blood is unable to carry oxygen throughout the body as well as not being able to carry toxins out of the body. Anemia, jaundice and splenomegaly can result from having this disease. Other symptoms can be a result of having Hereditary Spherocytosis. The inability to fight off infections, fatigue, and a low hemoglobin count are a few symptoms.
In 1987, this disease was almost unheard of. Now, Hereditary Spherocytosis is found in 1 out of every 5,000 people. This disease can be inherited from either parent or could have skipped generations and come from another ancestor. One of the tests that can be done to diagnose this disorder is called the Osmotic Fragility Test. Symptoms of this disease can start as early as birth or could be found later in life. Cases of this disorder can range from mild to severe. Most mild cases go untreated because the patient does not have many symptoms for a correct diagnosis. However, severe cases of this disorder can be deadly. If untreated, there is a possible risk of the spleen rupturing.
Treatment of Hereditary Spherocytosis in mild cases can be as simple as taking folic acid daily to taking an iron supplement. Newborns that have excessive bilirubin should have treatments of phototherapy, transfusions, or both. Although not recommended before six years of age, a splenectomy is also a treatment for this disorder. Not all cases that are severe result in splenectomies, though. Sometimes, patients have other underlying conditions that make this treatment plan a last resort after other treatments have been tried. Splenectomies do not cure Hereditary Spherocytosis but will allow the red blood cells to live longer and enables them to do their job in the lymphatic system.
