Coinheritance of sickle cell anemia and hereditary spherocytosis

Abstract

To date only three siblings with coinheritance of sickle cell anemia (SCA) and hereditary spherocytosis (HS) have been reported. We here describe a 17-year-old boy who experienced episodes of hemolysis and had a large spleen. The diagnosis of SCA was confirmed by hemoglobin electrophoresis (HbS 88.9%) and genetic analysis (homozygote HbSS mutation). The diagnosis of HS was established by an osmotic fragility test, performed twice. A splenectomy was performed, and following Surgery the hemoglobin concentration was maintained between 9 and 11 g/dl without further transfusion requirements. This patient was the fourth reported case with co-existence of two different genetically transmitted hemolytic anemias.