Description
Hereditary spherocytosis and hereditary elliptocytosis are the common inherited haemolytic anaemias known to be associated with defective red cell cytoskeletal proteins. Studies of patients red cells using biochemical and molecular biology techniques have provided an insight in the organisation of erythrocyte structural proteins and the molecular basis of these disorders. In contrast, the current laboratory tests for screening membrane disorders have been in use for over 40 years. This article presents a brief overview on the first- and second-generation rapid laboratory tests for detecting red cell membrane disorders. The second-generation assays should provide a greater degree of confidence in discriminating between HS and other types of haemolytic anaemia in the shortest possible time as this becomes crucial for paediatric cases.
