title: Parvovirus associated aplastic crisis in homozygous sickle cell disease.
abstract: Aplastic crises in homozygous sickle cell disease in Jamaica predominantly affect children and occur in epidemics. Of 67 cases in a cohort study of 314 children with homozygous sickle cell disease, 62 were attributable to human parvovirus infection. Affected children were aged 0.5-12.5 years, and the incidence rose to 28% by 10 years. No recurrences were seen. Symptoms and signs on presentation were attributable to the viraemia and acute anaemia. Asymptomatic thrombocytopenia was common. Blood transfusion was given in 54 cases (87%). Thirty eight children (61%) were admitted to hospital, 16 of whom were extremely ill on presentation and one of whom died soon after admission. Twenty four (39%) were managed as outpatients, 16 of whom were transfused. Parvovirus associated aplastic crisis is a self limited condition with excellent prognosis if diagnosed promptly and managed appropriately.
mesh_terms: D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*