Acquired hemolytic anemia may present as a fulminating and toxic illness with an acute onset. This syndrome, most frequently encountered in children, was initially described by Chauffard and Vincent1 and later emphasized by Lederer,2,3 whose name has become associated with it. With the advent of modern serological and biochemical techniques it has been shown that a variety of underlying disorders may produce this syndrome.
The present case of acute acquired hemolytic anemia occurred in conjunction with an Escherichia coli urinary tract infection. Cessation of the hemolytic process was demonstrated to coincide with the introduction of appropriate antibiotic therapy, and a causal relationship between the urinary tract infection and hemolysis is strongly suggested by the data. In addition, evaluation of the hemoglobin-binding capacity of the patient's serum by means of starch gel electrophoresis proved to be a valuable test for acute hemolysis and hemoglobinuria.
Report of Case
A 3-year-old