The coincidence of hemolysis with anemia, jaundice and splenomegaly is evident as it were in other pathophysiological entities. However, when the bone marrow is able to compensate with erythropoiesis 6 to 8-fold in about 30% of cases and as shown by increased reticulocyte counts, anemia is either mild or absent. Jaundice is more likely to occur when the marrow's capacity is jeopardized by intercurrent infection. On the other hand, marked splenomegaly is usually attributed to other medical conditions, In HS, an enlarged  spleen is not necessarily an indication for splenectomy nor for increased susceptibility to spleen rupture as with a  normal person.    

Hereditary spherocytosis can manifest at any age from birth to the 90s, with varying severity. Jaundice is common in neonates, sometimes requiring exchange transfusion. The parents should be informed that jaundice may persist for several days only and therefore, it is not a cause for apprehension.

Based on clinical features, HS in children may be categorized into: “severe”, “moderate”, or “mild.”  Intercurrent illness and other compounding factors must be ruled out for an accurate assessment of HS according to this classification. Severe hereditary spherocytosis is associated with persistent anemia in almost rare or about 5% of cases requiring transfusion especially in the first few years of life. Treatment with erythroladderpoietin is recommended to minimize the necessity for transfusion. Henceforth, most children can cope with a low hemoglobin level and live normally.

One of the consequences of hemolysis is increased red cell turnover and increased bilirubin, a breakdown product of heme. The liver has to excrete the bilirubin into the gallbladder leading to the formation of calcium bilirubinate or pigmented gallstones. This may occur during the first or second decade of life while the risk is increased with the co-inheritance of Gilbert syndrome. Increased reticulocyte count coincides with higher risk of gallstone formation. These events may appropriately guide the option for splenectomy.

Carriers of the HS trait with mild hemolysis may remain undiagnosed for years. The finding of enlarged spleen in routine physical examination and spherocytes in peripheral blood smears are incidental during consultation for pregnancy or other medical conditions. Concurrent infection with parvovirus B19 in HS carriers can precipitate aplastic crisis marked by a sudden decrease in hemoglobin level to as low as 20 to 30 g/l and reticulocyte count. Diagnosis of parvovirus is established by the presence of IGM antibody or viral DNA in the blood. Transfusion may be needed at least once. Following successful treatment, aplastic anemia and viral infection may not recur.

A newly developed recombinant parvovirus vaccine has shown seroconversion in phase 1 trials on adults. This is a highly contagious disease. Several members may be simultaneously infected. The family of HS carriers and others should be assessed of the dangers of parvovirus infection. 

• Splenomegaly

  In hereditary elliptocytosis, clinical features are similar to those of hereditary spherocytosis but tend to be milder; splenomegaly is often present. [merckmanuals.com]

  So in HS, there is big-time splenomegaly, because that’s the site of most of the destruction. [pathologystudent.com]

  In hereditary elliptocytosis, clinical features are similar to those of hereditary spherocytosis but tend to be milder; splenomegaly may be present. [msdmanuals.com]

  Due to the membrane defect, there is increased fragility, hemolytic anemia, marked splenomegaly and hyperbilirubinemia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Anemia

  Hereditary spherocytosis and hereditary elliptocytosis are congenital red blood cell (RBC) membrane disorders that can cause a mild hemolytic anemia. [merckmanuals.com]

  Congenital Spherocytic Anemia; Minkowski-Chauffard Syndrome; Spherocytosis. Hemolytic anemia caused by red blood cell membrane defect. [accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com]

  […] syndrome spherocytic anemia edit English hereditary spherocytosis congenital hemolytic anemia characterized by the production of red blood cells with a sphere shape, rather than the normal biconcave disk shape Congenital spherocytic hemolytic anemia [wikidata.org]

• Pain

  […] that are fragile and susceptible to spontaneous hemolysis, with decreased survival in the circulation; results in chronic anemia with reticulocytosis, episodes of mild jaundice due to hemolysis, and acute crises with gallstones, fever, and abdominal pain [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

  A 16-year-old male patient with known hereditary spherocytosis presented with a 4-day history of chest pain and lethargy. On admission, he had a low-grade fever and was grossly anaemic; examination revealed splenomegaly. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Headache, myalgia, and abdominal pain Aplastic crisis can give rise to these symptoms. Headache, myalgia, and abdominal pain Aplastic crisis can give rise to these symptoms. [medicaljoyworks.com]

• Pallor

  The size of many of these RBC's is quite small, with lack of the central zone of pallor. These RBC's are spherocytes. In hereditary spherocytosis, there is a lack of spectrin, a key RBC cytoskeletal membrane protein. [library.med.utah.edu]

  Peripheral blood smear shows that many of her RBCs have no area of central pallor. Direct antiglobin test is negative. [medbullets.com]

  Pallor (100%), icterus (67%), undocumented fever (28%), splenomegaly (96%) and hepatomegaly (73%) were the most frequent findings. Cholelithiasis was observed in 26%. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Facts : Autosomal dominant, EXTRAvascular hemolytic anemia MC hereditary hemolytic anemia in white population RBC membrane spectrin gene defect RBCs get trapped in red pulp of spleen, undergo hemolysis History / PE : Positive family history Pallor, jaundice [medlibes.com]

• Fever

  Fever and fatigue Fever is one of the presenting features. Fever may be due to infections triggering the haemolytic crisis. Parvovirus B19 is one such example of an infection that induces haemolytic crisis by inhibiting erythropoiesis. [medicaljoyworks.com]

  Although fever and abdominal symptoms were common initial symptoms, liver dysfunction or skin eruptions were less commonly documented. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] spheric erythrocytes that are fragile and susceptible to spontaneous hemolysis, with decreased survival in the circulation; results in chronic anemia with reticulocytosis, episodes of mild jaundice due to hemolysis, and acute crises with gallstones, fever [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

  […] features. [1] Fever may be due to infections triggering the haemolytic crisis. [explainmedicine.com]

• Fatigue

  Despite these few complaints, fatigue and parents' perceived vulnerability seem to be important determinants for lower HRQoL and more emotional problems. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Fatigue is associated with intermittent jaundice. [explainmedicine.com]

  Fatigue is associated with intermittent jaundice. Fever and fatigue Fever is one of the presenting features. Fever may be due to infections triggering the haemolytic crisis. [medicaljoyworks.com]

  My concern is that I am always tired and fatigued. For a long long time, I have been tired and fatigued and knew that it wasn't normally. I would go to school and just pass out, I would come back from work and be dead tired. [inspire.com]

  We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition. Last updated: May 29, 2019 [patientslikeme.com]

• Abdominal Pain

  Abstract Hereditary spherocytosis is an autosomal dominant congenital hemolytic anemia due to defect in RBC membrane protein that commonly presents with intermittent jaundice, anemia, abdominal pain, splenomegaly and sometimes cholelithiasis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Headache, myalgia, and abdominal pain Aplastic crisis can give rise to these symptoms. Headache, myalgia, and abdominal pain Aplastic crisis can give rise to these symptoms. [medicaljoyworks.com]

• Jaundice

  Moderate jaundice and symptoms of anemia are present in severe cases. Splenomegaly is almost invariable but only rarely causes abdominal discomfort. Hepatomegaly may be present. [merckmanuals.com]

  This case also highlights the fact that physicians should consider concomitant hemolytic disease in patients in whom jaundice and infections that rarely cause jaundice coexist. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Neonatal Jaundice

  In this article the authors present a case of pathological neonatal jaundice resistant to phototherapy in a baby with a family history of Gilbert's syndrome and hereditary spherocytosis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  (yellow) R17 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code R17 Unspecified jaundice 2016 2017 2018 2019 Billable/Specific Code Type 1 Excludes neonatal jaundice ( P55, P57 - P59 ) newborn P59.9 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code P59.9 Neonatal jaundice, unspecified 2016 2017 2018 [icd10data.com]

  The erythrocytic fragility and hepatic enzyme immaturity may cause significant neonatal jaundice. [accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com]

  Newborn babies can present with neonatal jaundice in first week of life. [2] Intermittent nature of jaundice [1] This is due to the haemolysis that increases the unconjugated bilirubin in the blood. [1] Fever and fatigue Fever is one of the presenting [explainmedicine.com]

• Recurrent Jaundice

  She had a history of recurrent jaundice in the past, which was evaluated, and a diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis with hemolytic jaundice was made. She underwent splenectomy 3 years back and did not have any episodes of jaundice subsequently. [indianjnephrol.org]

• Conjunctival Pallor

  On examination, the patient was jaundiced and had conjunctival pallor. She had no clinical features of chronic liver disease or a bleeding tendency. [hoajonline.com]

• Pruritus

  Treatment with ursodesoxycholic acid and intermittent therapy with prednisone reduced pruritus and jaundice with concomitant improvement of blood test. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Headache

  However, common complaints such as headache should warn clinicians of involvement in less common sites, primarily the dural venous system. The case of dural venous thrombosis in a patient with hereditary spherocytosis and splenectomy is discussed. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Possible signs of anemia include headache, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, paleness, jaundice, fainting, irritability, sensations of dizziness or heart palpitations. [ihtc.org]

  Headache, myalgia, and abdominal pain Aplastic crisis can give rise to these symptoms. [3] Right upper abdominal pain, radiating to the back across the flanks, associated with non specific symptoms such as dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting This is due to the [explainmedicine.com]

  6 ] 27 Male Fever, headache, pain, sweating, cough Yes Yes Yes - - - Antibody [ 6 ] 37 Female Fever, headache, sore throat, pains, cough - Yes Yes - - - Antibody [ 7 ] 30 Female - - - - - - - Antibody [ 8 ] 43 Female Fever, headache, nausea, diarrhea [bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com]

The salient features of HS are spherocytes in stained peripheral blood smears and elevated reticulocyte count with or without anemia. Unconjugated bilirubin level is higher than normal [7] [8]. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is reduced and mean red cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is increased. To differentiate from autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), a direct antiglobulin test is negative in HS and usually positive in AIHA. People with HS are apparently well but often with a positive family history whereas AIHA is rare in children and frequently associated with an acute viral infection. These suffice to establish the diagnosis of HS.

The traditional osmotic fragility test (OF) is tedious and not helpful if spherocytes can not be demonstrated in blood films.  The fragility test does not distinguish among the causes of spherocytosis; it is also positive in AIHA. False negative is possible in the presence of iron deficiency in obstructive jaundice. It is difficult to interpret in neonates with variable normal range. To complicate diagnosis unaffect neonates may have spherocytes for some months.

EMA (eosin-5-maleimide) binding test, using flow cytometry is currently being introduced in many laboratories. EMA binds to a skeletal protein, band 3. Sensitivity is 92.7% and specificity is 99.1% for HS. The test uses a small sample of blood and results can be obtained within two hours. It can also help identify which gene is defective in the family for academic purposes but clinical management remains the same.

Genetic analysis is a concern of researchers. Except for unusual instances HS is readily diagnosed with routine methods. Some rare disorders of red blood cells may resemble HS requiring the services of a specialist in hematology or blood dyscrasia.

• Erythroblast

  § Hepatomegaly and gallstones are less frequent § Anaemia, cirrhosis § Secondary siderosis § Bi and multinucleated erythroblasts (usually 15-30%). § Mild to moderate Hb level, normal to mild elevated MCV § Low reticulocyte count § SDS-PAGE shows a more [ihaematology.com]

  33 Point mutation in the band 4.2 gene associated with autosomal recessively inherited erythrocyte band 4.2 deficiency. 6 Iwamoto S...Ikemoto S 8319790 1993 34 Asynchronous synthesis of membrane skeletal proteins during terminal maturation of murine erythroblasts [malacards.org]

  This allele (MAF of 0.5% per gnomad.broadinstitute.org) produces only about 16% of full-length spectrin as compared to the normal SPTA1 allele, based on studies with metabolic labeling of erythroblasts in vitro (Wichterle et al., 1996). αLEPRA in trans [frontiersin.org]

  […] fragility in 5 patients and normal in 1 patient ; hemoglobin electrophoresis and Coomb’s test were both negative; bone marrow examination of the erythroid cell line demonstrated different degrees of active hyperplasia, mainly in the mid and late stage erythroblasts [omicsonline.org]

  Considering the percentage of the proteins produced in the erythroblasts it can be hypothesized that α-spectrin mutations would have a relevant role only in recessive HS, whereas band 3, ankyrin and β-spectrin mutations are the molecular basis for dominant [haematologica.org]

• Haptoglobin Decreased

  Routine chemistry testing  Bilirubin: Increased  Indirect bilirubin  Urine urobilinogen: increased  Methaemalbumin: Increased  LDH: Increased  Haptoglobin: Decreased  Haemopexin: Decreased 21. [pt.slideshare.net]

• Thrombocytosis

  It also results in leukocytosis and thrombocytosis. On peripheral blood smear, spherocytes are unchanged or may even increase. [medcaretips.com]

  […] splenectomy who have gall stones but once the spleen is removed pigment stones do not develop and cholecystectomy may be associated with an increased risk of ca colon ) d) Visible jaundice but no stones for cosmetic reasons – difficult group Post op develop thrombocytosis [ihaematology.com]

  Splenectomy is usually followed by a reactive thrombocytosis that may be quite spectacular in children, with counts rising to more than 1000 × 109/l (Hirsh & Dacie, 1966; Boxer et al, 1978; Coon et al, 1978). [onlinelibrary.wiley.com]

• Osmotic Fragility Increased

  fragility: increased; basis for diagnostic testing Diagrams / tables Images hosted on other servers: Scatter diagram of CBC Treatment Splenectomy (prolongs survival of red blood cells, although they still have membrane defects) Gross description Firm [pathologyoutlines.com]

• Lactate Dehydrogenase Increased

  Reticulocytosis, increased bilirubin, increased lactate dehydrogenase, increased urinary and fecal urobilinogen, and decreased haptoglobin, reflect increased erythrocyte production or destruction. Barcellini, W, Bianchi, P, Fermo, E. [clinicaladvisor.com]

Parents and children afflicted by HS should be assured that the disorder is no cause for  alarm and that one may carry on with daily life without restrictions. They should however be informed about the health hazards associated with parvovirus infection within the family. Blood counts should be monitored periodically. Long term risk of infection in splenectomized patients should be considered. It  does not follow that every new case of HS in a child in the family should be considered for splenectomy with due regard to current stricter guidelines on splenectomy in HS [9]. 

Even with severe HS and anemia (i.e., Hb 60 g/l) children are able to survive well and do not usually require transfusion in which Hb should not be the only consideration. Once the child's status has been stabilized repeated blood tests may not be necessary unless there is pallor, jaundice or threat of intercurrent infection. Routine annual check up should suffice with continued vigilance for possible parvovirus infection or abdominal pain, indicating the presence of gallstones. 

Oral folate supplements are recommended for children with chronic hemolysis in severe to moderate HS, and for all patients during pregnancy. There is no standard regimen apart from the usual daily dose of 2.5 mg up to 5 years old and 5 mg daily thereafter.

Splenectomy

The critical issue in the management of HS is whether splenectomy is absolutely necessary and when should it be done [10]. It used to serve the purpose of eliminating the cause of hemolysis and its sequelae; it also renders the patient vulnerable to infection and sepsis which are potentially fatal. The risk is highest among children. When splenectomy can not be avoided, pre-operation vaccination is prescribed against pneumoccocus, haemophilus, and menigoccocus,, with life long postoperative prophylaxis with antibiotics such as penicillin. These measures raise more questions than answers as to how efficacious are immunization and prophylaxis, for that matter, short-term versus long-term treatment with antibiotics, in adults versus children.

The merits of splenectomy must be assessed vis-a-vis the perceived risks to the patient and moral responsibility of the family. While chronic anemia is undesirable young children can tolerate this deficiency in terms of normal activity; rarely, but it can, however lead to increased cardiac output with cardiomegaly, and leg ulcers, if at all. Children with chronic anemia may be underweight and grow slowly as they approach puberty. Chronic severe hemolysis may lead to gallstone formation as early  as the first or second decade of life. Splenectomy may normalize erythropoiesis or at least reduce deformed cell destruction, improving hemoglobin level. The longevity of erythrocytes is increased without change in morphology. Gallstone formation is prevented. If there is any indication of gallbladder disease, cholecystectomy may be considered.

Splenectomy should be deferred before the child is at least 6 years old. Partial splenectomy is recommended for the most severe transfusion- dependent children to remedy the hemolysis, but they may eventually have to undergo surgery again to complete the splenectomy. Elective surgery should be considered with caution and discussed extensively with both child and parents. There have been reports of improvement in patient's status following surgery. In any case, the choice of open laparotomy versus laparoscopic surgery rests upon the surgeon depending upon experience with the method and availability of specialized equipment.

Sonography of the gall bladder is best done towards the end of the first decade, since the presence of gall stones at this point in time, even without symptoms, is relevant to the decision for both splenectomy and cholecytectomy.

The platelet count in post-splenectomy sometimes reaches levels higher than 1000×109/l. This is not a risk factor per se for thrombosis in persons with HS and does not need to be treated. On the other hand, people with some forms of hereditary stomatocytosis are at risk of thrombosis after splenectomy, underscoring the importance of consulting a hematologist for cases with atypical red cell morphology. 

Patients afflicted with the mild pattern of HS disorder can survive without difficulty unless triggered by some predisposing factor or stress. Splenectomized patients can experience improvement in RBC status and and can maintain normal hemoglobin level. 

A study in The Netherlands of HS in 132 pediatric patients, reported that 48 who have undergone splenectomy were able to cope with the disorder [5]. The trade off is diminution of quality of life compared to unaffected peers, manifestations of fatigue, patients' apprehension of social stigma, and parents' concern of vulnerability of their child to health hazards and life-threatening consequences. 

Non-splenectomized HS patients are presumably thought to be at high risk to blunt splenic injury from trauma but it does not seem to  be the case. A review of a population-based data by Hsiao and colleagues showed that there is no significant difference in the rate of blunt splenic injury between non-splenectomized HS patients from those in the general populationi [6].

Hereditary spherocytosis is the result of gene mutations that lead to aberrations in cell proteins and membrane proteins of erythrocytes. HS is common, but not exclusively, among persons of northern European and northern American lineage. The defect is transmitted as an autosomal dominant or recessive trait, presumably, from heterozygous parents. Evidence has shown that 25% of newly recognized cases do not conform with a dominant Mendelian inheritance pattern because their parents do not manifest HS. Sporadic appearance of cases may be the result of de novo mutations.

Thus, an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance is possible as seen in families with more than one affected child from apparently non-HS parents.  This pattern of recessive inheritance may account for 20-25% of all HS cases and is compatible with the Mendelian law of dominance. In this case, individuals who are carrying both allelles (homozygous recessive) or (heterozygous dominant) are susceptible to severe hemolytic anemia [4].

Hereditary hemolytic anemia is common among persons of northern European or American origins; afterall the latter also descended from European migrants to the US. The incidence of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) in the United States is roughly 1:5000 individuals but which might well be underestimated. If the autosomal recessive inheritance pattern of 25% is observed, 1.4% of Americans would be inapparent carriers of HS. The prevalence of HS in other ethnic groups has not been studied extensively. 

The disorder in hereditary spherocytosis emanates from deficiencies in the biosynthesis of proteins needed for the structural integrity of red cell membranes. Underneath the bimolecular lipid layer of the membrane are horizontal alpha and beta spectrin molecules which form heterodimers with ankyrin, proteins 4.1 abd 4.2, and band 3 (a transmembrane protein) through vertical linkage elements. These are coded by different genes and deficiency in any of the component proteins will result in destabilization of the membrane leading to abnormal morhphology and shortening of  life span  of the erythrocyte (normally around 120 days).

Defect in the cell membrane causes the erythrocyte to change shape from the normal biconcave to spherical appearance. The spleen destroys deformed and old cells which are phagocytosed. Furthermore, the fragile cell membrane causes the spherocyte to lyse due to increased cellular permeability, releasing hemoglobin. Loss of hemoglobin causes iron deficiency anemia. Increased hemolysis will lead to increased bilirubin, a breakdown product of heme, thus, hyperbilirubinemia, manifested by jaundice. Concomitant infections especially parvovirus and influenza will lead to sepsis which is potentially fatal. Splenectomy per se which is a treatment procedure will render the patient susceptiblle to infections, henceforth, sepsis.

Shorter life span of red cell is linked to exacerbation of disease. The severity of symptoms varies within and among families with hemolytic crisis, anemia and jaundice as the principal manifestations. Inheritance pattern in heterogeneous dominant is 15%.

HS patients with low levels of chronic hemolysis should take folic acid supplements for life especially those who have not been through splenectomy. Before and after splenectomy, patients should be immunized against infections with parvovirus, pneumoccocus, hemophilus and meningoccocus. Postoperative prophylaxis with antibiotics is likewise recommended.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS), an usually autosomal dominant abnormality of red blood cells is a major cause of hemolysis  among persons of northern European origin. It is usually a mild disease in children but a cause for concern when present with parvovirus B19 infection causing transient severe anemia. The traditional laboratory diagnosis of HS using the osmotic fragility test which is tedious and inconclusive is being replaced by the more recently developed EMA binding method. Since the spleen normally destroys deformed or old erythrocytes resulting in intravascular hemolysis, splenectomy is indicated to promote red cell survival in severe disease. Cholecystectomy may be needed if gallstones are present. The downside of splenectomy in HS patients is the possible risk of sepsis, despite preoperative vaccinations and prophylaxis with antibiotics.

Anemia in children is usually due to iron deficiency in the diet, infection with hookworms, or drug-induced hemolysis in G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency, a hereditary red cell enzyme disorder. G6PD deficiency is transient and self-limiting. On the other hand, hemolysis in hereditary spherocytosis, is chronic and subject to complications with intercurrent infections [1] [2] [3].

What is hereditary spherocytosis?

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a genetic aberration in the red blood cells which predisposes the person affected with this disorder to chronic hemolysis. Normal red blood cells or erythrocytes are donut-shaped and can pass through small blood vessels. In HS the erythrocytes become deformed (actually, spherical) hence the term spherocytes. Spherocytes lack flexibility, are fragile and tend to break with physical pressure as when forced to pass through a small vessel, releasing hemoglobin, an essential component of iron. The process is called hemolysis and the result, hemolytic anemia and/or jaundice. The bone marrow has to produce more cells which are immature (reticulocytes) to prevent anemia. In HS, reticulocytes are in seen peripheral blood films in greater number than normal. HS is also manifested by the passage of "coke-colored" urine and formation of gallstones. 

Splenectomy and/or cholecystectomy may be needed in severe to moderate cases upon the discretion of the attending clinician. Otherwise, lifelong intake of folate supplements is prescribed to compensate for hemolytic anemia. Immunity to infection and prophylaxis with antibiotics are needed for pre-operative and post-operative treatment of cases. Hereditary spherocytosis is common in people of northern European and northern American origins. Affected persons have 50% probability of passing this gene to their offsprings. New mutations can occur in approximately 25% of cases. 

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Anemia – paleness (pallor), fatigue, dyspnea (shortness of  breath).
• Jaundice - yellow discoloration of the skin and white part of eyeball.
• Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) - palpable on the left side of abdomen beneath the rib cage.
• Debilitated appearance, weakness, and inability to concentrate.
• Irritability, restlessness in children. 
• Abdominal pain – from splenomegaly and presence of gallstones.
• Underweight and slow growth in children.

What tests are needed? 

• Thorough physical examination and family history.
• Clinical laboratory – CBC (complete blood count), reticulocyte count, blood chemistry, and liver function tests. 

What treatments are available and what are their side effects?

• Usually no special is treatment is required. 
• Dietary folate supplements in children.
• Splenectomy, deferred until the child is 5 years old or older. This is to control destruction of abnormal and old erythrocytes, hemolysis and its sequelae. The morphology of the red blood cell remains unchanged but its life span returns to normal. However, splenectomy predisposes the patient to infections, hence. the need for preoperation and postoperation chemotherapy. 
• Prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics. 
• Blood transfusions, may have side effects rarely, if at all. allergic reaction and contaminants in the blood product.
• Immunodiagnostic tests for parvovirus infection.
• EMA binding test, using flow cytometry (in lieu of the osmotic fragility test).

Problems associated with spherocytosis 

Aplastic crisis may accompany the reduction in hemoglobin levels and reticulocyte counts. Viral infections may suppress bone marrow function and its capacity to compensate for cell loss, leading to severe anemia. Blood transfusion is often required in these instances. Hemolytic crisis results from rapid red cell destruction leading to jaundice, passage of dark urine and anemia. Blood transfusion is the immediate remedial measure. With supportive treatment and adequate nutrition, most pediatric  patients can cope well with the disorder and are able to lead normal lives.

1. Comité Nacional de Hematología. Donato H, Crisp RL, Rapetti MC, García E, Attie M. Hereditary spherocytosis: Review. Part I. History, demographics, pathogenesis, and diagnosis. Arch Argent Pediatr. 2015;113(1):69-80.
2. Comité Nacional de Hematología  Donato H, Crisp RL, Rapetti MC, García E, Attie M. Hereditary spherocytosis. Review. Part II. Symptomatology, outcome, complications, and treatment. Arch Argent Pediatr. 2015;113(2):168-76.
3. Gallagher PG. Abnormalities of the erythrocyte membrane. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013; 60(6):1349-62.
4. Da Costa L, Galimand J, Fenneteau O, Mohandas N. Hereditary spherocytosis, elliptocytosis, and other red cell membrane disorders. Blood Rev. 2013;27(4):167-78.
5. Teunissen M, Hijmans CT, Cnossen MH, Bronner MB, Grootenhuis MA, Peters M. Quality of life and behavioral functioning in Dutch pediatric patients with hereditary spherocytosis. Eur J Pediatr. 2014 Apr 16.
6. Hsiao M, Sathya C, Nathens AB, de Mestral C, Hill AD, Langer JC. Is activity restriction appropriate for patients with hereditary spherocytosis? A population-based analysis. Ann Hematol. 2013;92(4):523-5.
7. Barcellini W, Bianchi P, Fermo E, Imperiali FG, Marcello AP, Vercellati C, Zaninoni A, Zanella A. Hereditary red cell membrane defects: diagnostic and clinical aspects. Blood Transfus. 2011; 9(3):274-7.
8. King MJ, Zanella A. Hereditary red cell membrane disorders and laboratory diagnostic testing. Int J Lab Hematol.2013; 35(3):237-43.
9. Christensen RD, Yaish HM, Gallagher PG.  A pediatrician's practical guide to diagnosing and treating hereditary spherocytosis in neonates. Pediatrics. 2015; 135(6):1107-14.
10. Casale M, Perrotta S. Splenectomy for hereditary spherocytosis: complete, partial or not at all? Expert Rev Hematol. 2011; 4(6):627-35.