Unusual features of haemolytic crisis in sickle-cell anaemia.

Abstract

Summary: The case of a 27-month old patient with sickle-cell anaemia who developed haemolytic crisis following a febrile illness of one week's duration, is presented. The unusual features of the case included a dangerously low PCV of three percent, absence of any significant jaundice or heart failure, or any manifestations of hypoxic encephalopathy, such as seizure. The patient was fully conscious and not in shock on admission. Urgent blood transfusion was given to the patient within 30 minutes of arrival in the hospital. Recovery was rapid and the post transfusion PCV reached 15 percent; the patient was discharged some 72 hours after admission. The rapid recovery without any sequalae could be attributed to the urgent treatment that included pre-transfusion diuretic and oxygen therapy and blood transfusion.