Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria is a very rare hemolytic anemia resulting in sudden, repeated red blood cell destruction bouts by the person’s immune system. The Paroxysmal (sudden) destructions of many red blood cells, which may happen at any time, not only at night (nocturnal), results in hemoglobin to spill into the blood stream.

The kidneys filter out of hemoglobin, which makes the urine dark (a condition known as hemoglobinuria). Such anemia is most likely to occur among young males, but may happen at any age in men and women. The cause of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria is unknown. This anemia may result in clotting of the abdomen and leg’s large veins and severe back pain and stomach cramps.

The diagnosis of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria is done by laboratory analysis that may show defected red blood cell characteristics to this disease. Corticosteroids such as Prednisone is frequently prescribed to relieve symptoms, but no cure exists. Individuals with developed blood clots can require to use an anticoagulants-a drugs that reduce the tendency of blood clotting, such as Warfarin.

Transplantation of bone marrow can be performed for patients with most severe such type of anemia.

This entry was filed under Diseases and Conditions.

Tags: anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria