Hemolytic anemia and G-6-PD deficiency.

Abstract

To the Editor:— I noted with considerable interest your editorial comment, Hemolytic Anemia Complicating Viral Hepatitis and G-6-PD Deficiency ( 208 :2468, 1969), and particularly your reference to two reports of acute renal shut-down in such patients. I wonder whether your warning of the dangers of renal complications in patients with this enzyme defect should not be extended to those with virus disorders other than hepatitis. I should like to report briefly a patient who, because of massive intravascular hemolysis, was considered to be in great danger of intravascular coagulation, with possible kidney damage, and who received heparin without waiting for evidences of coagulation. Report of a Case:— A 17-month-old boy of Greek-American extraction woke one morning appearing pale and listless, and with his wet diapers stained deep red. The patient had had a small-pox vaccination four days before, and had had an upper-respiratory tract infection for the prior two days.