D58.0: Hereditary spherocytosis

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.

The red blood cells are usually shaped like a flat disc. This shape is stabilized by an outer coat. In your case the outer coat of your red blood cells is changed. As a result, some of your red blood cells look spherical.

The body breaks down these changed red blood cells earlier than normal. As a result, you may have too few red blood cells as a whole in your blood. The blood can then no longer transport as much oxygen. This can make you exhausted more quickly or get breathless.

The by-products from red blood cells can accumulate in certain parts of the body. resulting in the eyes or skin, for example, turning yellow in color. The increase in by-products can also cause gall stones to form.

Red blood cells are broken down in the spleen. The spleen is located in the top left of the abdomen. If the spleen breaks down more red blood cells than usual, it can become enlarged.

The severity of the disorder can vary. For example, the symptoms can temporarily get worse because of infections. In that case, you may be seriously ill.

The disorder is hereditary. Other family members can also be affected.