Hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia: a poor prognosis

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Feb 13:2013:bcr2012007968. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007968.

Abstract

A 13-year-old boy presented with spontaneous skin and mucosal bleeds 3 weeks after acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology. Laboratory analyses revealed pancytopenia and bone marrow biopsy that confirmed the diagnosis of aplastic anaemia. Other causes of congenital and acquired aplastic anaemia were excluded. He was diagnosed with hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia. He developed a critical clinical condition, becoming totally dependent on erythrocyte and platelet transfusions, and severe neutropenia, which led to invasive bacterial infection. He died due to sepsis with multiple organ failure 3 months after admission.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anemia, Aplastic / diagnosis
  • Anemia, Aplastic / etiology*
  • Anemia, Aplastic / therapy
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hepatitis / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Platelet Transfusion
  • Prognosis