Donath-Landsteiner Hemolytic Anemia Differential Diagnoses

  • Author: Trisha Simone Tavares, MD; Chief Editor: Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA   more...
 
Updated: Feb 6, 2012
 
 

Diagnostic Considerations

Donath-Landsteiner hemolytic anemia can be confused with cold agglutinin disease and with warm-antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The Donath-Landsteiner (D-L) autoantibody is present only in Donath-Landsteiner hemolytic anemia; cold agglutinin disease is characterized by the presence of very high cold agglutinin titers and the absence of hemoglobinuria, while warm-antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia is typically diagnosed by positive results on the anti-IgG direct antiglobulin test.

Go to Pediatric Chronic Anemia, Anemia of Prematurity, Fanconi Anemia, Pediatric Acute Anemia, and Pediatric Megaloblastic Anemia for complete information on these topics.

Differential Diagnoses

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Trisha Simone Tavares, MD  Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Attending Physician, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders, Golisano Children's Hospital, State University of New York Upstate Medical University; Attending Physician, Department of Pediatrics, Crouse Hospital

Trisha Simone Tavares, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Children's Oncology Group and Medical Society of the State of New York

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

M Monica Gramatges, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine

M Monica Gramatges, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Children's Oncology Group

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA  Senior Vice President, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children's National Medical Center; Professor of Medicine, Oncology, and Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine; Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Max J Coppes, MD, PhD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Nicolas A Camilo, MD Consulting Staff, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Mountain States Tumor Institute, St Luke's Regional Medical Center

Nicolas A Camilo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Gary D Crouch, MD Program Director of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship, Department of Pediatrics, Associate Professor, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Gary D Crouch, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael R Jeng, MD Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine

Michael R Jeng, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Histiocyte Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Gary R Jones, MD Associate Medical Director, Clinical Development, Berlex Laboratories

Gary R Jones, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Western Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Thomas W Loew, MD Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Missouri Children's Hospital

Thomas W Loew, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, and Children's Oncology Group

Disclosure: Genzyme Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Genzyme Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Amicus Grant/research funds Independent contractor; Purdue Pharmaceuticals Grant/research funds Independent contractor

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  16. [Guideline] Gibson BE, Todd A, Roberts I, et al. Transfusion guidelines for neonates and older children. Br J Haematol. Feb 2004;124(4):433-53. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  17. Koppel A, Lim S, Osby M, Garratty G, Goldfinger D. Rituximab as successful therapy in a patient with refractory paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria. Transfusion. Oct 2007;47(10):1902-4. [Medline].

  18. Roy-Burman A, Glader BE. Resolution of severe Donath-Landsteiner autoimmune hemolytic anemia temporally associated with institution of plasmapheresis. Crit Care Med. Apr 2002;30(4):931-4. [Medline].

 
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Blood smear showing spherocytosis, polychromatophilia, and erythrophagocytosis by neutrophils.
Blood smear showing spherocytosis, polychromatophilia, and erythrophagocytosis by neutrophils.
 
 
 
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