Hereditary ovalocytosis

Alternative names
Ovalocytosis - hereditary

Definition
Hereditary ovalocytosis is an inherited condition in which your red blood cells, which are supposed to be round, instead have a slightly oval or elliptical shape. Also known as hereditary elliptocytosis. This condition is associated with mild hemolytic anemia. In severe cases, the disease may be treated by removal of the spleen (splenectomy).

Johns Hopkins patient information

Last revised: December 3, 2012
by Levon Ter-Markosyan, D.M.D.

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