Acute paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria: A case report and literature review

Authors

  • Hasitha Gajaweera Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Kavinda Dayasiri Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Nayani Suraweera Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Chandrachapa Gamage Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Kumudu Weerasekara Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v6i1.392

Keywords:

paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, autoimmune hemolysis

Abstract

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH) is a very rare subtype of autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by the presence of cold-reacting autoantibodies in the blood and characterized by the sudden presence of hemoglobinuria, typically after exposure to cold temperatures. The acute onset PCH occurs following viral illnesses whilst the chronic form is secondary to hematological malignancies and tertiary syphilis. It is a complement mediated intravascular hemolytic anemia associated with a biphasic antibody against the p antigen on red cells. We describe a three-year child who had acute onset PCH following likely viral infection. The diagnosis was confirmed by demonstration of strongly positive Donnath Landsteiner antibodies. She made a gradual recovery with supportive treatment, ten days following the initial detection of hemolysis. Parents were educated about the need to avoid cold exposure to prevent precipitation of further hemolysis and folic acid was commenced to assist the recovery of erythropoiesis.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 06 No. 01 January’22 Page: 147-149

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Published

2022-02-07

How to Cite

Gajaweera, H., Dayasiri, K., Suraweera, N., Gamage, C., & Weerasekara, K. (2022). Acute paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria: A case report and literature review. International Journal of Human and Health Sciences (IJHHS), 6(1), 147–149. https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v6i1.392

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2022)

Section

Case Report

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Copyright (c) 2022 Hasitha Gajaweera, Kavinda Dayasiri, Nayani Suraweera, Chandrachapa Gamage, Kumudu Weerasekara

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