Subclinical parvovirus B19 infection in children with sickle cell anemia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence and clinical consequences of previous parvovirus B19 exposure in a large cohort of pediatric patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA).


METHODS
Prospective serologic testing for previous parvovirus B19 exposure was performed in steady-state pediatric patients with SCA, either prior to starting hydroxyurea therapy or in preparation for transition to the adult service. A retrospective chart review was performed to ascertain whether patients had a documented history of a transient aplastic crisis.


RESULTS
The prevalence of serologic evidence of previous parvovirus infection increased with age. The overall prevalence in 102 children with SCA was 53%, ranging from 44% between 5 and 9 years of age to 71% between 17 and 21 years of age. Only 27% of patients had a previous clinically recognized transient aplastic crisis.


CONCLUSIONS
By the teenage years, most pediatric patients with SCA have serologic evidence of previous parvovirus B19 exposure. However, subclinical parvovirus infection appears to be common in children with SCA, since most patients have no documented previous transient aplastic crisis.
Zimmerman
Sherri A
SA
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. Zimme008@mc.duke.edu
Davis
Jacqueline S
JS
Schultz
William H
WH
Ware
Russell E
RE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015995:Prevalence
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M