Paroxysmal Cold Hemoglobinuria

Synonyms

• Donath-Landsteiner Hemolytic Anemia
• Donath-Landsteiner Syndrome
• Dressler Syndrome
• Harley Syndrome
• Immune Hemolytic Anemia, Paroxysmal Cold
• PCH

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria is a very rare autoimmune hemolytic disorder characterized by the premature destruction of healthy red blood cells minutes to hours after exposure to cold. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's natural defenses against invading organisms (e.g., lymphocytes, antibodies) destroy healthy tissue for unknown reasons. Normally, red blood cells have a life span of approximately 120 days before they are removed by the spleen. In an individual affected with paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, the red blood cells are destroyed prematurely and suddenly (paroxysmally) upon exposure to temperatures of 10 to 15 degrees Centigrade and below.
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Resources

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe, MI 48021-2227
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
Tel: (800)598-4668
Email: aarda@aarda.org
Internet: http://www.aarda.org/

NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
6610 Rockledge Drive
MSC 6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
Tel: (301)496-5717
Fax: (301)402-3573
TDD: (800)877-8339
Internet: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

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This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 3/4/2003
Copyright 1990, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.