hemolytic anemia /-lit″ik/ [Gk, haima + lysis + a, without, + haima, blood] , a disorder characterized by acute or chronic premature destruction of red blood cells. Anemia may be partially compensated by bone marrow production. The condition may be associated with some infectious diseases, certain inherited red cell disorders, or neoplastic diseases. It may be a response to drugs or other toxic agents. Also spelled haemolytic anemia. Compare aplastic anemia, congenital nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia, iron-deficiency anemia, myelophthisic anemia. See also anemia, hemolysis, spherocytosis.
