[Hemolytic anemia caused by membrane abnormalities].

During the last few years, the proteins which constitute the red cell membrane have been identified and the molecular configuration of that membrane has been determined. It has also been possible to detect a number of abnormalities responsible for hereditary spherocytosis, elliptocytosis or pyropoikilocytosis for hereditary spherocytosis, elliptocytosis or pyropoikilocytosis. These red cell membrane disorders are responsible for chronic haemolytic anaemia of varying intensity. The main complications are chronic hyperhaemolysis and worsening of anaemia by a concurrent deficiency of compensatory erythropoiesis. Splenectomy reduces the intensity of haemolysis, but in view of the risk of infection it carries the pros and cons of this operation must be carefully weighed.