Idiopathic Heinz body hemolytic anemia in newborn infants.
Heinz body hemolytic anemia developed in six full-term infants while at home during the first 2 weeks of life. The disorder first manifested as hyperbilirubinemia. However, in all cases, severe anemia (hemoglobin concentration 49-73 g/L) developed during the 4-12 days of hospitalization. The infants had not been exposed to known oxidants, and their erythrocytes were not glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient and contained no unstable hemoglobin. It is hypothesized that in these newborn infants, Heinz body hemolytic anemia developed as a result of ingestion of an oxidant contained in feedings. The nature of this agent is as yet unknown.
Ballin
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Brown
E J
EJ
Zipursky
A
A
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006366:Heinz Bodies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male