A comprehensive scheme for the systematic investigation of hemolytic anemia

A comprehensive scheme for the systematic investigation of hemolytic anemia is proposed. In addition to routinely available tests for the diagnosis of hemolytic anemia, investigation of hemoglobin, analysis of red blood cell membrane proteins, and a complete panel of red blood cell enzyme measurements were included. The adoption of red blood cell enzyme measurements to routine use was facilitated by the automation of these procedures. The resolving power of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) procedure provided a tool for the identification of abnormalities in the red blood cell membrane proteins. Such a comprehensive scheme was instrumental in systematically identifying and confirming 48 cases of hemolytic anemia which otherwise would have escaped detection during the period October 1990 to September 1993 in our institution (Fukuoka University Hospital).