Transient erytroblastopenia of childhood: a review of 39 cases

Abstract

Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood is an acute form of anemia characterized by a transient red blood cell aplasia, of unknown case, in the bone marrow. 39 patients were seen in our paediatric depatment during the period 2010 to 2013. The ages varied from 11 to 66 months. 26 patients had severe anemia, the lowest mean haemoglobin values being 52 (28-69) g/l. The reticulocyte count was low in 29 patients, whereas 10 patiants had reticulocytosis. No underlying haematologic diseases were found. All patients were tested for parvovirus B 19 infection, HHV-6, CMV, EBV, HHV-1,2 infections. No child showed B 19 DNA in serum or bone marrow collected at presentation. 19 patients showed HHV-6 (n = 11), CMV (n = 4), EBV (n = 2), HHV-1,2 (n = 1) DNA in serum or bone marrow collected at presentation. Apart from transfusion of red blood cell in 23 patients. Reticulocytosis, indicating beginning recovery, was observed after a mean interval of 10 days. All patients resolved within 3 weeks, without long-term sequale.