Hereditary spherocytosis: a study of splenectomized persons.

Sixty-one persons splenectomized for hereditary spherocytosis have been studied and compared to 36 nonsplenectomized clinically affected and to 77 nonaffected family members. Serum IgM levels were reduced by 25% and IgD levels were nearly doubled in the splenectomized group. No fatal bacterial infection was identified by history covering a total of 800 postsplenectomy years. Platelet counts remained elevated for many years after removal of the spleen, as did the number of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Heinz bodies were seen in 3% of red cells after splenectomy. Though within the range of "normal," reticulocyte levels and serum bilirubin levels were satistically higher in the splenectomized group than in the nonaffected persons. Hemoglobin levels were higher in splenectomized affected persons than in matched controls of the same sex and maturity.