Information and Resources

Font Size

Anemia, Hemolytic, Warm Antibody

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Anemia, Hemolytic, Warm Antibody is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Warm Reacting Antibody Disease

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Warm Antibody Hemolytic Anemia is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the premature destruction of red blood cells by the body's natural defenses against invading organisms (antibodies). Normally, the red blood cells have a life span of approximately 120 days before they are removed by the spleen. In an individual affected with Warm Antibody Hemolytic Anemia, the red blood cells are destroyed prematurely and bone marrow production of new cells can no longer compensate for their loss. The severity of the anemia is determined by the time the red blood cells are allowed to survive and by the capacity of the bone marrow to continue new red blood cell production.

Immune Hemolytic Anemias are subdivided by the optimal temperature at which the antibodies destroy red blood cells. As their names imply, Warm Antibody Hemolytic Anemia occurs at temperatures of 37 degrees centigrade or higher while Cold Antibody Hemolytic Anemia usually occurs at approximately 0 to 10 degrees.
.

Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe, MI 48021-2227
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
Tel: (800)598-4668
Email: aarda@aarda.org
Internet: http://www.aarda.org/

NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
31 Center Drive MSC 2480
Building 31A Rm 4A16
Bethesda, MD 20892-2480
Tel: (301)592-8573
Fax: (240)629-3246
Email: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

Cold Agglutinin Disease E-Support
c/o Betty Usdan
146 Greens Rd.
Hollywood, FL 33021
Tel: (954)961-2703
Fax: (954)961-2703
Internet: http://www.coldagglutinindisease.org

AutoImmunity Community

Tel: (919)-55-2-9057
Email: bandrews@autoimmunitycommunity.org
Internet: http://autoimmunitycommunity.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 8/11/2000
Copyright 1990, 2000 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: August 11, 2000

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.