Anemia due to Increase in Red Blood Cell Destruction
Aside from patients having anemia due to a decrease in red blood cell production, anemia can be caused by an increase in red blood cells’ destruction rate. Typically, this is because of hemorrhaging, which is due to:
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Surgery: The destruction of red blood cells is called hemolysis. In surgeries (mostly heart operations) where high blood loss is expected, a device is used for intraoperative blood salvage. A centrifuge process moves blood from the individual, washes the red blood cells with normal saline and returns it into their blood circulation. If the centrifuge rotates too quickly, it may destroy red blood cells. [3]
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Childbirth: During childbirth, if the Rh-negative mother has been previously sensitized to Rh-positive blood, it may cause the immune system of the mother to produce antibodies that attack the body. For this reason, there will be a breakdown causing anemia.
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Accidents: When accidents occur, there may be excessive bleeding. When this happens, it leads to the loss or destruction of red blood cells. Meanwhile, the rate of destruction or loss is higher than that of production.
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Genetic Disorders: In some cases, anemia may be due to genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Sickle cell anemia is a common genetic disorder that causes the red blood cells to have an abnormal crescent shape that resembles a sickle.
Several other factors cause an increase in the destruction of red blood cells. Examples are endometriosis, gastrointestinal lesions, excessive uterine bleeding, hemolysis, and liver disorders and spleen. Generally, iron deficiency is the commonest cause of anemia. In other words, most people have a decrease in the production of red blood cells. Nearly half of anemia cases are due to iron deficiency, making it a major nutritional disorder. [4]