Abstract

Fifty-five patients with Indian childhood cirrhosis were investigated for the occurrence of haemolysis and for its possible underlying mechanisms. Increased haemolysis was present in 76% of patients, and was severe in 12%. The degree of anaemia was not always proportional to the severity of haemolysis. No single factor accounted for haemolysis. Evidence of hypersplenism was present in only 7 (13%) patients. The haemolysis appeared to be more severe in patients with advanced liver disease. Evidence for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia was found in 27% of patients. No relation was seen between the degree of haemolysis and hypercholesterolaemia. These findings are compared with those reported in adult patients with cirrhosis of the liver.