What is paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)?
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired, potentially life-threatening disease of the blood characterized by hemolytic anemia (anemia due to destruction of red blood cells in the bloodstream), aplastic anemia (low blood counts resulting from decreased production of the blood cells in the bone marrow or ‘blood factory’) and blood clots. A person with this blood disorder may have all or only one of the above issues in the beginning. It was originally named paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) because the urine from patients with hemolytic anemia is very dark in the morning as a result of concentrated hemoglobin (which comes from the destroyed red blood cells).What are the symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)?
Symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria are variable:- Hemolytic anemia – dark cola colored urine, yellow skin color (jaundice)
- Aplastic anemia – fatigue, lack of energy, or light-headedness when standing up or with exertion, increased infections, or bleeding.
- Thrombosis (blood clots) – symptoms depend on the site of the clot but may include pain, swelling, skin discoloration. Clots in the brain can cause ‘stroke-like symptoms’ or headache.
