Hereditary elliptocytosis: an unusual presentation of hemolysis in the newborn associated with transient morphologic abnormalities

Three cases of hereditary elliptocytosis in siblings are presented with hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn period requiring exchange transfusion. In two infants, transient morphologic changes of the red cell were noted shortly after birth. The clinical course of the third infant is suggestive of a similar course of events. Attention is drawn to the presenting morphologic picture, which was not diagnostic of elliptocytosis but more closely resembled pyknocytosis.