A clinico-haematologic profile of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.

Clinico-haematological parameters in sixteen patients of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) are presented. Their modes of presentation included recurrent episodes of cola-coloured urine (6/16), refractory anaemia (9/16) and predominant thrombotic manifestations (1/16). Laboratory investigations revealed the presence of anaemia (16/16), reticulocytosis (14/16), thrombocytopenia (11/16), leucopenia (5/16) and cellular bone marrow (14/16). Two patients had hypoplastic bone marrow initially but subsequently developed PNH. The patients were treated with haematinics, prednisolone (16/16) and oxymethalone (2). Prednisone was effective in suppressing haemolytic episodes. Oxymethalone given to the 2 patients with hypoplastic bone marrow resulted in amelioration of anaemia in one but no effect in the other patient.