Medication Summary

No specific medications are used to treat hereditary pyropoikilocytosis. Other related conditions can arise that may require treatment with medications specific to the situation, but medications do not affect the underlying disorder. Folic acid is often used because of the relative or absolute folate deficiency that often occurs in patients with chronic hemolysis and increased erythropoiesis by the bone marrow.

Class Summary

A folate deficiency can develop because of the high turnover rate in the erythroid line and subsequent use of substrate. Replacement is often necessary. This is easily accomplished with an oral dose of 1 mg/d.

Folate (Folvite)

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Important cofactor for enzymes used in production of red blood cells. A folate deficiency can develop because of the high turnover rate in the erythroid line and subsequent use of substrate.

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Media Gallery

Peripheral smear that shows evidence of hereditary pyropoikilocytosis.

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Author

Nellowe C Candelario, MD Fellow in Hematology/Medical Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Nellowe C Candelario, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Marcel E Conrad, MD Distinguished Professor of Medicine (Retired), University of South Alabama College of Medicine

Marcel E Conrad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Blood Banks, American Chemical Society, American College of Physicians, American Physiological Society, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society of Hematology, Association of American Physicians, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, International Society of Hematology, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, SWOG

Disclosure: Partner received none from No financial interests for none.

Chief Editor

Emmanuel C Besa, MD Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University

Emmanuel C Besa, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Education, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American College of Clinical Pharmacology, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society of Hematology, New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Karen Seiter, MD Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology/Hematology, New York Medical College

Karen Seiter, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American College of Physicians, American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Received honoraria from Novartis for speaking and teaching; Received consulting fee from Novartis for speaking and teaching; Received honoraria from Celgene for speaking and teaching.

Abdullah Kutlar, MD Director of Sickle Cell Center, Fellowship Program Director, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Abdullah Kutlar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Amanda D May, MD Assistant Fellowship Director, Chief, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Augusta VAMC; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Georgia

Amanda D May, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.