What Laboratory Tests Are Consistent with Transient Erythroblastopenia of Childhood?

Discussion Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC) is an “…anemia with a hemoglobin level at least 2 [standard deviations] below normal and a low reticulocyte count in relationship to the anemia in the absence of evidence of alternative causes of anemia.” A bone marrow aspirate shows decreased or absent erythroid precursor cells if obtained. The etiology is not well understood but may have a stimulating cause such as a viral infection, an immune-related and/or genetic cause. Parvovirus causing bone marrow suppression has been implicated and there are cases of affected siblings. TEC is most common in 1-4 year olds but can be seen after 6 months and as old as 10 years. The natural history is that it spontaneously resolves usually in a few weeks (usually 4-8 weeks) but it can be for up to a year. Invariably as many patients only come to attention if they have severe disease and with normal spontaneous resolution, the actual number of TEC cases is probably underreported. Treatment is supportive including transfusion if the anemia is causing hemodynamic or other effects. Patients with more severe disease may have pallor, anorexia, lethargy and irritability, and most are hemodynamically stable. Treatment is supportive including transfusion if the anemia is causing hemodynamic instability or other effects. Learning Point TEC is often a clinical and laboratory diagnosis of exclusion if it follows its natural history. Laboratory testing usually shows a normoc...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news