Haemolytic Anaemia
Spherocytosis is a common cause of inherited haemolytic anaemia.
What our notes say
- Spherocytosis is a common cause of inherited haemolytic anaemia. (Hematopathology MCQs & Essays: MBChB Exam Revision Guide)
- Blood: haemolytic anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia. (Internal Medicine Rheumatology CAT: 30 MCQs and 5 short answer questions)
- HUS gives a Coombs-negative microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia with thrombocytopenia and kidney injury. (Internal Medicine CAT 1 (MBIM 6112), 2019/2020: gastroenterology and hepatology,)
- May cause aplastic crisis in persons with haemolytic anaemia (Medical Virology & Mycology Paper Two 2022/2023 — MKU MBMM 3300 Questions & Answ)
- Pre-hepatic (haemolytic): excess production of unconjugated bilirubin, for example haemolytic anaemia. (Chemical Pathology Practice Examination)
- Describe five laboratory features of haemolytic anaemia, explaining the pathophysiological basis and diagnostic significance of each finding. (General & Systemic Pathology Exam: MBChB Year 3 Questions)
Study material on Haemolytic Anaemia
- Hematopathology MCQs & Essays: MBChB Exam Revision Guide
- Haematopathology MCQs: Blood Disorders & Anemia Explained
- Renal, Liver, Cardiac & Adrenal Function Tests for Year 3
- EXAM: Bacteriophages, Laboratory Diagnosis, HPV & Parvovirus B19
- Pharmco Notes
- Platelet Disorders
- Internal Medicine CAT 1 (MBIM 6112), 2019/2020: gastroenterology and hepatology, 30 MCQs and 4 short answers
- Haematology End of Year 2025 Past Paper — MKU MBML 3200 Questions & Answers
- Medical Pathology Final Revision: Chemical, Hema, Systemic
- Haematology Exam 2025: MCQs on Anaemia, Leukaemia & Clotting
- Haematology Exam 2025: MCQs on Anaemia, Leukaemia & Clotting
Practice questions on Haemolytic Anaemia
In haemolytic anaemia, which combination of findings is expected?
- Low bilirubin, high haptoglobin, low LDH
- High unconjugated bilirubin, low haptoglobin, high LDH, high reticulocytes
- High conjugated bilirubin, normal haptoglobin, normal LDH
- Low reticulocytes, high haptoglobin, high bilirubin
Answer: B. RBC destruction releases haemoglobin (consuming haptoglobin), LDH, and unconjugated bilirubin; marrow compensates with reticulocytosis. ---
A patient with Chronic Lymphoid Leukaemia develops a warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Which test is essential to confirm this complication?
- Direct antiglobulin (Coombs) test
- Indirect antiglobulin test
- Serum haptoglobin level
- Reticulocyte count
Answer: A. The DAT detects antibody or complement bound directly to the patient's red cells, confirming autoimmune haemolysis. ---
Which of the following laboratory findings is typically associated with haemolytic anaemia?
- Decreased reticulocyte count
- Increased haptoglobin
- Decreased unconjugated bilirubin
- Increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
Answer: D. Red cell destruction releases intracellular LDH; haemolysis also raises reticulocytes and unconjugated bilirubin while haptoglobin falls. ---