Hereditary spherocytosis.

ABSTRACT

Hereditary spherocytosis is a congenital haemolytic anaemia due to defect in spectrin-a RBC membrane protein and is transmitted as autosomal dominant. Due to this defect there is presence of characteristic spherical cell in peripheral blood smear and osmotic fragility is increased. Haemolytic anaemia, reticulocytosis, jaundice and splenomegaly are present. This article reports a case of a 9 year old boy who presented with a history of prolonged jaundice since the age of 4 years and recurrent pain in the right upper quadrant of abdomen. Clinical examination revealed jaundice, enlarged liver and marked splenomegaly. Investigations confirmed the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis by the presence of spherocytes in blood smear, raised reticulocytes and increased osmotic fragility. The patient was subjected to splenectomy after vaccination against coccobacillus and was discharged after proper advice and on post splenectomy antibiotic prophylaxis.