Transient Erythroblastopenia of Childhood



Transient Erythroblastopenia of Childhood


Kathryn Foucar, MD





Key Facts


Terminology



  • Idiopathic, self-limited red cell aplasia characterized by



    • Normocytic/normochromic anemia with reticulocytopenia


    • Decreased erythroid lineage in bone marrow (red cell aplasia)


Etiology/Pathogenesis



  • Unclear; usually no causative factor identified


  • Postulated immune-related disruption of erythropoiesis


Clinical Issues



  • Rare disorder; 4.3 per 100,000 children ≤ 3 years


  • Children usually ≥ 1 year of age


  • Reticulocyte count inappropriately low


  • Erythropoietin levels increased


  • Spontaneous recovery within 1-2 months


  • Does not recur






Peripheral blood smear shows a profound normocytic/normochromic anemia without polychromasia. There is minimal, if any, anisopoikilocytosis of RBCs.






Bone marrow aspirate smear shows a marked decrease in the erythroid lineage with only rare erythroblasts image and no maturing forms. Granulocytic lineage is normal.


TERMINOLOGY


Abbreviations



  • Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC)


Synonyms



  • Transient red cell aplasia


Definitions



  • Idiopathic, self-limited red cell aplasia characterized by



    • Normocytic/normochromic anemia


    • Marked reticulocytopenia


    • Decreased erythroid lineage cells in bone marrow (red cell aplasia)


ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS


Multifactorial Causes



  • Unclear; usually no causative factor identified


  • Underlying viral infection or immune aberration postulated but not well documented


  • Usually not linked to constitutional or familial conditions

Tags:
Jun 13, 2016 | Posted by in PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Transient Erythroblastopenia of Childhood

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access