Severe Coombs positive autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated with ulcerative colitis

We describe a case of severe autoimmune haemolytic anaemia developing in newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis of moderate severity. Full immunosuppression with steroids and azathioprine failed to bring about a full remission and a splenectomy was performed which resulted in a remission enabling immunosuppression to be discontinued. This case is compared with three previously described cases of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated with severe colitis requiring splenectomy.