Naturopathic Management of Hereditary Spherocytosis: A Case Report.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a common variant of inherited hemolytic anemia, in which abnormalities of red blood cells (RBC) structural proteins lead to loss of erythrocyte membrane surface area, resulting in spherical, hyperdense, weakly deformable RBCs. It is characterized by the presence of osmotically fragile erythrocytes, known as spherocytes in peripheral blood smear (PBS). The mutations that cause HS occur in genes encoding for red blood cell membrane/cytoskeletal proteins, predominantly, ankyrin-1, α- and β-spectrins, band-3, and protein 4.2. This results in defective cell membrane structure; thus, RBCs are unable to maintain their normal biconcave shape, thereby forming spherocytes, with reduced lifespan. We report a case of HS in a male infant, who underwent multiple Packed Red Blood Cell (PRBC) transfusions in a few months after birth. The patient, following naturopathic intervention incorporating spirulina and chlorophyll, demonstrated the ability to sustain normal hemoglobin (Hb) levels, and did not need PRBC transfusions for 7 months, after the start of therapy and ever since.