Osmotic Fragility Test

This test gauges how resistant red blood cells are to swelling and bursting when placed in solutions with varying concentrations of salt. It helps diagnose conditions causing fragile red blood cells that impact oxygen delivery in your body. The test evaluates conditions like spherocytosis and hereditary spherocytic haemolytic anaemia.

This test is done primarily to:

• Diagnose spherocytosis and hereditary spherocytic haemolytic anaemia
• Monitor these conditions over time
• Assess the effectiveness of treatment plans for these disorders

The test might be recommended if you:

• Have a family history of spherocytosis
• Show symptoms of anaemia like fatigue, paleness, or shortness of breath
• Need to monitor the progression of an existing condition affecting red blood cells

• Abnormal results may indicate conditions like spherocytosis or hereditary spherocytic haemolytic anaemia.
• Discuss abnormal findings with your doctor for a comprehensive evaluation.

During this test:

• A sample of blood will be drawn from your vein.
• The sample will then be exposed to solutions with varied salt concentrations to assess red blood cell fragility.

Before the test:

• Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking.
• Ensure you are well-hydrated before the blood draw.

Follow any specific guidelines provided by your healthcare provider

Other tests that may accompany the Osmotic Fragility Test include:

• Blood Smear: A microscopy test to examine red blood cell characteristics.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Provides information on various blood components.
• Coombs Test: Detects antibodies attacking red blood cells.

Red Blood Cell Fragility Test or RBC Osmotic Fragility Test

Spherocytosis and Hereditary Spherocytic Haemolytic Anaemia are rare inherited disorders of RBC surface membrane. These red blood cells are unusually shaped, causing them to break down prematurely. This results in haemolytic anaemia due to a lack of sufficient healthy red blood cells in circulation.