Treatment approach to a patient with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) in a teritiary care hospital - A Case Report

Abstract

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a rare autoimmune disease in which autoantibodies are formed inside the body which target red blood cells leading to marked decrease in their life span. The auto-antibodies formed will bind to the circulating erythrocytes, leading to hemolysis and decreased survival of red blood cells. Since autoimmune diseases are rare and life threatening, the understanding about the disease and its management have an immense role for the public and health care system. Here we report a 45 year old female who admitted with the complaints of fever and headache in a private hospital. Her lab findings showed reduced levels of hemoglobin (severe anemia) and tested positive for both Direct Coomb's test and Indirect Coomb's test and was diagnosed as Autoimmune hemolytic anemia. She was managed with repeated blood transfusions, corticosteroids, antibiotics and antihistamines. She was discharged in a stable condition.