National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Warm antibody hemolytic anemia


Other Names:
Warm-reacting-antibody hemolytic anemia; Warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia; Warm antibody AIHA
Categories:
Warm antibody hemolytic anemia is the most common form of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. It is defined by the presence of  autoantibodies that attach to and destroy red blood cells at temperatures equal to or greater than normal body temperature.[1][2] The disease is characterized by symptoms related to anemia, including fatigue, difficulty breathing, jaundice and dark urine. In severe disease, fever, chest pain, syncope or heart failure may occur. Hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells) occurs mainly in the spleen, so mild splenomegaly is relatively common. Treatment typically involves a corticosteroid like prednisone. In cases that don't respond to treatment, splenectomy may be considered. Chronic and severe disease may be treated with Rituximab or immunosuppressive medications. [2] 
Last updated: 12/19/2012

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia 0001890
Exertional dyspnea 0002875
Fatigue
Tired
Tiredness
[ more ] 		0012378
Headache
Headaches
0002315
Pallor 0000980
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Arthralgia
Joint pain
0002829
Lymphoproliferative disorder 0005523
Splenomegaly
Increased spleen size
0001744
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Abnormal urinary color
Abnormal urinary colour
Abnormal urine color
[ more ] 		0012086
Chronic lymphatic leukemia 0005550
Congestive heart failure
Cardiac failure
Cardiac failures
Heart failure
[ more ] 		0001635
Fever 0001945
Jaundice
Yellow skin
Yellowing of the skin
[ more ] 		0000952
Systemic lupus erythematosus 0002725
Tachycardia
Fast heart rate
Heart racing
Racing heart
[ more ] 		0001649
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Last updated: 7/1/2020

Related diseases are conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. A health care provider may consider these conditions in the table below when making a diagnosis. Please note that the table may not include all the possible conditions related to this disease.

Conditions with similar signs and symptoms from Orphanet
The differential diagnosis of warm AIHA includes a post-transfusional alloimmune hemolytic anemia and, when the DAT is negative (less than 5% of all warm AIHAs), every other cause of either hereditary or acquired hemolytic anemia.
Visit the Orphanet disease page for more information.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Providing General Support

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition for patients and caregivers. 
  • The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has information on this topic. NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health and supports research, training, and education for the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.

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  1. Lichtin AE. Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Merck Manual. 2016; http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/blood-disorders/anemia/autoimmune-hemolytic-anemia.
  2. Michel M. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, warm type. Orphanet. August 2012; http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/OC_Exp.php?lng=EN&Expert=90033. Accessed 12/19/2012.