The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its first global guideline on managing sickle cell disease (SCD) during pregnancy—marking a critical step in addressing the serious health risks this condition poses for both mothers and babies. SCD, a group of inherited blood disorders, causes red blood cells to become abnormally shaped, leading to complications such as severe anemia, pain crises, infections, and life-threatening events like strokes and organ failure.
This case report details an extremely rare disease called drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) that developed in a 52-year-old man once he started using the drug dapagliflozin (Farxiga), a drug often prescribed for diabetes. The report speculates that this could be the first to link this particular drug to this unusual disorder. DIIHA is a dangerous side effect wherein the immune system abnormally reacts against and destroys red blood cells upon exposure to a drug. While extremely uncommon, affecting 1-2 people per million individuals per year, it is life-threatening unless treated.
The American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) has provided updated guidelines for managing hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in at-risk individuals. The guidelines focus on preventive strategies and monitoring approaches based on patient risk levels.
