Relapsing post-hepatitis aplastic anemia. Immunosuppressive therapy.
A 20-month-old Hispanic male developed severe aplastic anemia after an episode of non-A, non-B hepatitis. Prompt and complete recovery of all hematopoietic cell lines occurred after treatment with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and high-dose corticosteroids. Severe aplasia recurred two months later coincident with a mild upper respiratory infection. A second course of immunosuppressive therapy was followed by complete, sustained improvement. The authors' experience provides clinical evidence indicating that immunologic mechanisms are important in the treatment of severe post-hepatitis aplastic anemia. Children in whom aplastic anemia recurs after immunosuppressive treatment may respond to a second course of therapy.
Shannon
K
K
Department of Pediatrics, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco 94143-0106.
Koehne
W
W
Heyman
M B
MB
Koerper
M A
MA
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum