Hereditary Spherocytosis vs AIHA
Hereditary Spherocytosis
Hereditary spherocytosis is a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to be smaller and rounder than normal. It is a hereditary disorder, which means it is passed down from parent to child. It affects the red blood cells, which are the cells in the body responsible for carrying oxygen to the organs of the body. People who have this disorder may have symptoms such as anemia, jaundice, and fatigue.
Anemia is a condition in which there are too few red blood cells or the red blood cells don’t function properly. This can cause a person to feel tired and weak.
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow chemical produced by the breakdown of red blood cells.
Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion that does not improve with rest.
AIHA
AIHA stands for Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. It is a type of anemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells by the body's own immune system. This is a form of anemia that is not hereditary, meaning it is not passed down from parent to child. Symptoms of this condition can include fatigue, jaundice, and anemia.
Anemia is a condition in which there are too few red blood cells or the red blood cells don’t function properly. This can cause a person to feel tired and weak.
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow chemical produced by the breakdown of red blood cells.
Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion that does not improve with rest.
The main difference between hereditary spherocytosis and AIHA is that hereditary spherocytosis is a hereditary disorder, while AIHA is not. Hereditary spherocytosis is caused by a mutation in a gene, while AIHA is caused by the body's own immune system attacking the red blood cells. Both conditions can cause anemia, jaundice, and fatigue, but the treatments for each condition can be different.
