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Ceftriaxone-induced immune hemolytic anemia
Gal Neuman1, Sabrina Boodhan1, Ilana Wurman2
1University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Insights
Ceftriaxone-induced immune hemolytic anemia (CIIHA) is a rare but fatal condition, particularly in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Early diagnosis through history of ceftriaxone exposure and monitoring for hemoglobinuria is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pharmacovigilance
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Ceftriaxone is a widely used antibiotic with potential for serious adverse effects.
- Immune hemolytic anemia is a rare complication of antibiotic therapy.
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common underlying condition in pediatric patients presenting with anemia.
Observation:
- A case of ceftriaxone-induced immune hemolytic anemia (CIIHA) in a child with SCD is presented.
- A systematic literature review identified 37 eligible reports of CIIHA, with 70% of cases occurring in children.
- The majority of patients (70%) had underlying conditions, most commonly SCD.
Findings:
- Mortality rates were high, reaching 30% overall and 64% in children.
- Common clinical and laboratory findings included elevated lactate dehydrogenase, hemoglobinuria, acute renal failure, and positive direct antibody testing.
- A significant proportion of patients (65%) had prior ceftriaxone exposure, and 32% experienced a preceding unrecognized hemolytic episode.
Implications:
- Clinicians must be aware of CIIHA, as it is often diagnosed late.
- Screening for prior ceftriaxone exposure and monitoring for new-onset hemoglobinuria during therapy can aid early diagnosis.
- Prompt recognition and management of CIIHA are essential to improve patient outcomes, especially in high-risk populations like those with SCD.
Objectives:
To describe a case of ceftriaxone-induced immune hemolytic anemia (CIIHA) in a 6 year-old boy with sickle cell disease (SCD) and perform a systematic literature review to delineate the clinical and laboratory features of this condition.
Data Sources:
EMBASE (1947-January 2014), MEDLINE (1946-January 2014), and databases from the US Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada were searched, using anemia, hemolytic anemia, hemolysis, and ceftriaxone as search terms. Additional references were identified from a review of literature citations.
Study Selection And Data Extraction:
All case reports and observational studies describing clinical and laboratory features of CIIHA were included.
Data Synthesis:
A total of 37 eligible reports of CIIHA were identified, including our index case, and 70% were children. Mortality was 30% in all age groups and 64% in children. The majority of patients had underlying conditions (70%), of which SCD was most commonly reported. Previous ceftriaxone exposure was reported in 65%. Common features included elevated lactate dehydrogenase (70%); early, new-onset hemoglobinuria (59%); acute renal failure (46%); positive direct antibody testing (70%); and anticeftriaxone antibodies (68%). Also, 32% had a preceding, unrecognized, hemolytic episode associated with ceftriaxone.
Summary:
Given the common use of ceftriaxone worldwide, knowledge of CIIHA, which often goes undiagnosed until late in the course, is essential for clinicians. Based on the findings of this review, we suggest obtaining past history of ceftriaxone exposures and screening for new-onset hemoglobinuria during ceftriaxone therapy in selected patients as potential methods for early diagnosis of this rare but potentially fatal condition.
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