Snapshot A 13-year-old girl presents to her primary care physician for follow-up care of her recently diagnosed hereditary spherocytosis. She reports increasing fatigue and shortness of breath. She required a blood transfusion approximately 4 months prior to presentation. She has not received the PCV13 vaccine but has received the PPSV23 vaccine on year ago. Physical examination shows pallid conjunctiva and organomegaly in the left upper quadrant. Laboratory testing is significant for an elevated reticulocyte count and serum bilirubin. A decision has been made among the patient, her family, and physician to undergo an elective splenectomy. She is administred the PCV13 vaccine 14-days before her operation. Introduction Clinical definition login to view 7 more bullets Under normal conditions login to view 8 more bullets Patients with absent splenic function are therefore login to view 8 more bullets Presentation Physical exam login to view 5 more bullets Studies Labs login to view 6 more bullets Treatment Conservative login to view 7 more bullets Medical login to view 11 more bullets Complications Sepsis due to login to view 1 more bullet