eMedicine Specialties > Hematology > Red Blood Cells and Disorders
Hemoglobin C Disease: Treatment & Medication
Updated: Feb 7, 2008
- Overview
- Differential Diagnoses & Workup
- Treatment & Medication
- Follow-up
- Multimedia
Treatment
Medical Care
- Patients can usually be evaluated in an outpatient setting.
- Perform regular eye screening along with fluorescein angiography to assess for neovascularization.
Surgical Care
- Splenectomy may be indicated, and gallstones may require cholecystectomy.
- Neovascularization present at the equatorial region of the eye can be treated with a laser to prevent bleeding.
Consultations
- Dentist
- Geneticist
- Hematologist
- Ophthalmologist
Diet
No special diet is required.
Activity
Physical activities are not restricted.
Medication
Patients with hemoglobin C disease require treatment only for acute problems. Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated.
Mineral supplementations
Iron supplementation is used to correct iron deficiency.
Ferrous sulfate (Feosol, Fer-Iron, Ferospace, Slow FE)
A nutritionally essential inorganic substance that allows transportation of oxygen via hemoglobin. Used for simple iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia.
Adult
325 mg/d PO
Pediatric
<12 years: Not established
>12 years: Administer as in adults
Absorption enhanced by ascorbic acid; interferes with tetracycline absorption; food and antacids impair absorption
Documented hypersensitivity
Pregnancy
B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals
Precautions
GI upset; iron toxicity is observed with ingestion of large amounts and can be fatal, especially in children; parenteral (IV) administration may cause several reactions, including headaches, malaise, fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, arthralgia, and urticaria; can cause severe anaphylaxis; possible phlebitis at infusion site
More on Hemoglobin C Disease |
| Overview: Hemoglobin C Disease |
| Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Hemoglobin C Disease |
Treatment & Medication: Hemoglobin C Disease |
| Follow-up: Hemoglobin C Disease |
| Multimedia: Hemoglobin C Disease |
| References |
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References
Modiano D, Luoni G, Sirima BS, et al. Haemoglobin C protects against clinical Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Nature. Nov 15 2001;414(6861):305-8. [Medline].
Rihet P, Flori L, Tall F. Hemoglobin C is associated with reduced Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia and low risk of mild malaria attack. Hum Mol Genet. Jan 1 2004;13(1):1-6.
Olson JF, Ware RE, Schultz WH, Kinney TR. Hemoglobin C disease in infancy and childhood. J Pediatr. Nov 1994;125(5 Pt 1):745-7. [Medline].
Hingorani M, Bentley CR, Jackson H, et al. Retinopathy in haemoglobin C trait. Eye. 1996;10 ( Pt 3):338-42. [Medline].
McBrayer GM, Semes L, Stephens GG. Angioid streaks and AC hemoglobinopathy--a newly discovered association. J Am Optom Assoc. Apr 1993;64(4):250-3. [Medline].
Dare FO, Makinde OO, Faasuba OB. The obstetric performance of sickle cell disease patients and homozygous hemoglobin C disease patients in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. Mar 1992;37(3):163-8. [Medline].
Fabry ME, Kaul DK, Raventos C, et al. Some aspects of the pathophysiology of homozygous Hb CC erythrocytes. J Clin Invest. May 1981;67(5):1284-91. [Medline].
Fairhurst RM, Casella JF. Images in clinical medicine. Homozygous hemoglobin C disease. N Engl J Med. Jun 24 2004;350(26):e24. [Medline].
Fairhurst RM, Fujioka H, Hayton K, et al. Aberrant development of Plasmodium falciparum in hemoglobin CC red cells: implications for the malaria protective effect of the homozygous state. Blood. Apr 15 2003;101(8):3309-15. [Medline].
Fort JA, Graham-Pole JR, Chopik J. Vasoocclusion with homozygous hemoglobin-C disease. Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1988;10(4):323-5. [Medline].
Wickramasinghe SN, Akinyanju OO, Hughes M. Dyserythropoiesis in homozygous haemoglobin C disease. Clin Lab Haematol. 1982;4(4):373-81. [Medline].
Further Reading
Keywords
HbC disease, mild hemolytic anemia, benign hemoglobinopathies, musculoskeletal pain, joint pain, iron deficiency, iron supplementation, angioid streaks, hemoglobin C, gallstones, pigmented gallstones, malaria, Bruch membrane, retinopathy, cholelithiasis, dental infarction, hemolysis, HbC, splenomegaly
Treatment & Medication: Hemoglobin C Disease