What is a common cause of hemolytic anemia?

Hemolytic anemia is characterized by the premature destruction of red blood cells, leading to a shortage of these cells in the bloodstream. One of the common causes of this condition is autoimmune disorders, where the body's immune system mistakenly targets and destroys its own red blood cells. Conditions such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia exemplify this, where antibodies are produced against the body's own erythrocytes, leading to their destruction in the spleen or other parts of the reticuloendothelial system.

While other factors can contribute to anemia, such as iron deficiency leading to iron-deficiency anemia or vitamin deficiencies contributing to other forms of anemia, they do not specifically trigger the hemolytic process involved in hemolytic anemia. Dehydration can cause hemoconcentration and may lead to a reduced plasma volume but does not directly result in the destruction of red blood cells. Thus, autoimmune disorders stand out as a significant cause of hemolytic anemia due to their direct role in the immune-mediated destruction of red blood cells.