Who Is At Risk for Hemolytic Anemia?
Hemolytic anemia can affect people of all ages and races and both sexes. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is slightly more common in women older than 40. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is more common among males. Some types of hemolytic anemia are more likely to occur in certain populations than others. For example, sickle cell anemia mainly affects people of African descent. G6PD deficiency affects males of African or Mediterranean descent. About 1 in 10 African American men have G6PD deficiency.
