Purpose: 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.