Other Blood Diseases

Hemolytic Anemia

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

Your child's physician will complete a medical history and physical examination of your child. In addition to a complete physical examination, your child's physician may order the following diagnostic tests:

• Blood Tests -- These tests are conducted to measure hemoglobin and reticulocyte count, which reveals how many new red blood cells are being produced; check liver function; and the presence of certain antibodies.

• Urine Tests -- These tests are conducted to measure hemoglobin in urine.

• Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy -- Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy may be performed under local anesthesia to remove marrow for testing. In the aspiration, a fluid specimen is removed from your child's bone marrow. In the biopsy, a thin sliver of the marrow itself, rather than fluid, is removed. These methods are often used together.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007