E BETA THALASSEMIA COMPLICATED BY STEROID RESPONSIVE AUTO IMMUNE HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA DUE TO SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Thalassemia patients may have superadded acquired hemolytic diseases. This may cause a sudden increase in transfusion requirement. However, such acquired hemolysis is very difficult to diagnose in presence of Thalassemia. We here report a case of thalassemia complicated by hemolytic anemia secondary to SLE. This is probably the first report of this association from India. This combination of two hemolytic diseases is potentially fatal. The autoimmune hemolytic component responded well to immunosuppressive therapy and there was significant reduction in transfusion requirement.

Keywords: Thalassemia, SLE, hemolytic Anemia, immunosuppressive therapy