Aplastic anemia: a new complication in the recent mysterious hepatitis outbreak among children worldwide: two case reports

Abstract

Background Recently, an unknown hepatitis outbreak among children has concerned many individuals worldwide. These cases are frequently reported, mainly from Europe and other countries. In this study, we present two similar patients, who, to the best of our knowledge, are the first cases reported in the Middle East (Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran). Unlike in similar cases reported up until 30 April 2022, our patients’ hepatitis eventually resulted in aplastic anemia. Case presentation In this study, we present cases of two Iranian boys aged 13 and 8 years with hepatitis of unknown origin who developed aplastic anemia in the course of hospitalization. Conclusions Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia is a well-known immune-mediated form of aplastic anemia that we detected in our patients and treated with immunosuppressive therapy. One patient established a satisfactory response to the treatment, but unfortunately, the other was declared brain dead.