MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hereditary ovalocytosis

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Hereditary ovalocytosis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Causes Symptoms	Exams and Tests Treatment Possible Complications References

Illustrations

Ovalocytoses

Blood cells

Alternative Names Return to top

Ovalocytosis - hereditary

Definition Return to top

Hereditary ovalocytosis is rare condition pass down through families in which blood cells are slightly oval shaped instead of round. It is a form of hereditary elliptocytosis.

Causes Return to top

Ovalocytosis is mainly found in Southeast Asian populations.

Symptoms Return to top

Newborn infants with ovalocytosis may have anemia and jaundice. Adults usually do not show symptoms and are known as asymptomatic.

Exams and Tests Return to top

An examination by your health care provider may occasionally show an enlarged spleen.

This condition is diagnosed by look at the shape of blood cells under a microscope. The following tests may also be done:

CBC (complete blood count) to check for anemia
Blood smear
Bilirubin level

Treatment Return to top

In severe cases, the disease may be treated by removal of the spleen (splenectomy).

Possible Complications Return to top

The condition may be associated with kidney problems.

References Return to top

Jeng MR. Hematologic problems in immigrants from Southeast Asia. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. Dec 2004; 18(6): 1405-22, x.

Laosombat V, Dissaneevate S, Wongchanchailert M, Satayasevanaa B. Neonatal anemia associated with Southeast Asian ovalocytosis. Int J Hematol. 2005 Oct;82(3):201-5.

Update Date: 2/6/2007

Updated by: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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