title: The benefit of ATG in immunosuppressive therapy of children with moderate aplastic anemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies specifically focused on the immunosuppressive therapy (IST) of children with moderate aplastic anemia (MAA) are rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantage of using antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in the IST and its outcome of children with MAA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two children diagnosed with moderate aplastic anemia from 1993 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Eighteen patients treated with ATG, cyclosporin A (CSA), and androgen are defined as the ATG group, the other 24 patients treated with CSA and androgen are defined as the non-ATG group. Survival and hematological response of the two groups were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response rate and transfusion-independent survival of the ATG group were both significantly higher than those of the non-ATG group (83.33 vs. 41.7%, p = .006; and 83.33 vs. 50%, p = .043, respectively). Compared with non-ATG group, fewer patients in ATG group progress to severe aplastic anemia (p = .03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immunosuppressive therapy including ATG benefits children with moderate aplastic anemia.
authors: Department of Pediatric, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shang Hai, China.
authors: Shayi
authors: S
authors: Jiang
authors: Yaoping
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Shi
authors: Yuexia
authors: Y
authors: Shao
authors: Xiaohong
authors: X
authors: Qiao
authors: Jieliang
authors: J
authors: Lin
authors: Hanqin
authors: H
authors: Kuang
authors: Xiaotian
authors: X
authors: Xie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D008775:Methylprednisolone