The human body consists of many complex internal systems. Red cells, for instance, provide oxygen carrying capacity, but their usefulness depends on balancing the rigidity and flexibility of cell membranes as well as the combined abilities to both hold and release cellular contents.
When inner systems work, external life goes well. When broken, these same systems can leave bodies tired and yellow.
Pediatric movie-goers understand inside out forces and how life becomes tumultuous when inner forces compete against each other. So it is when red blood cells are attacked. Parasites such as malaria enter red cells with explosive results. Antibodies coat red cells and prompt leaks and cellular destruction. Competing infectious and inflammatory mechanisms challenge the integrity of red cells and cause hemolysis. Patients become anemic and jaundiced.
This month’s P
RBC=red blood cell.ediatrics in Review provides the update “Acquired and Congenital Hemolytic Anemia,” by Suzie A. Norohna, MD, at University of Rochester Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY, to help you diagnose and manage children afflicted by inner forces destroying their red cells.
And, this issue also includes a case from Taylor Olmsted, MD, and Cory Showalter, MD, at Riley Children’s Hospital, Indianapolis, IN, about fever and seizures in a Nigerian child - prompting concern for a “tropical” illness. Malaria does lots of bad things, but one of the most damaging forms of malaria includes hemolytic anemia. Our task is to help control and manage the infectious and inflammatory agents seeking to destroy our patients from the inside out.
When inner systems work, external life goes well. When broken, these same systems can leave bodies tired and yellow.
Pediatric movie-goers understand inside out forces and how life becomes tumultuous when inner forces compete against each other. So it is when red blood cells are attacked. Parasites such as malaria enter red cells with explosive results. Antibodies coat red cells and prompt leaks and cellular destruction. Competing infectious and inflammatory mechanisms challenge the integrity of red cells and cause hemolysis. Patients become anemic and jaundiced.
This month’s P
RBC=red blood cell.ediatrics in Review provides the update “Acquired and Congenital Hemolytic Anemia,” by Suzie A. Norohna, MD, at University of Rochester Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY, to help you diagnose and manage children afflicted by inner forces destroying their red cells. And, this issue also includes a case from Taylor Olmsted, MD, and Cory Showalter, MD, at Riley Children’s Hospital, Indianapolis, IN, about fever and seizures in a Nigerian child - prompting concern for a “tropical” illness. Malaria does lots of bad things, but one of the most damaging forms of malaria includes hemolytic anemia. Our task is to help control and manage the infectious and inflammatory agents seeking to destroy our patients from the inside out.
