From the Research
Patients with hereditary spherocytosis should be monitored for hemoglobin levels, reticulocyte count, bilirubin levels, and signs of gallstones, with regular complete blood counts (CBCs) and ultrasound screening for gallstones, particularly in adolescents and adults, as recommended by the most recent study 1. The monitoring parameters for hereditary spherocytosis (HS) include:
- Hemoglobin levels to assess anemia severity
- Reticulocyte count to evaluate bone marrow response to hemolysis
- Bilirubin levels to detect jaundice and evaluate hemolysis intensity
- Signs of gallstones, with ultrasound screening recommended, particularly in adolescents and adults, due to increased risk from chronic hemolysis Regular CBCs are essential, with frequency depending on disease severity, such as every 3-6 months for moderate cases, and less frequently for mild cases, as suggested by 2. Reticulocyte counts help assess bone marrow response to hemolysis, while bilirubin monitoring detects jaundice and evaluates hemolysis intensity, as noted in 3. Folate levels should be monitored, with supplementation often needed to support increased erythropoiesis, as mentioned in 4. During acute illnesses or physiological stress, more frequent monitoring is warranted, as these can trigger hemolytic crises, and in splenectomized patients, complete blood counts should continue periodically to assess for residual anemia, with vigilant monitoring for post-splenectomy infections, as recommended by 5.