Hypertension and the Red Cell

To the Editor: "Red-cell transport abnormalities with evident clinical consequences have been reported in some hemolytic anemias. In these conditions net shifts of ions and water occur in vivo, leading to premature destruction of red cells."¹ This statement by Parker in the April 3 issue of the Journal refers to the notion that the increased osmotic fragility of red cells in such disorders as hereditary spherocytosis (HS), elliptocytosis, and stomatocytosis is responsible for the premature destruction of these cells. There is evidence that this may not be so. Swelling and bursting of red cells because of disordered ion transport would . . .