Transient Erythroblastopenia of Childhood

Basics

DESCRIPTION

An acquired, self-limited suppression of red cell production in an otherwise healthy child

EPIDEMIOLOGY

  • Mean age at diagnosis is 26 months.
  • <10% are >3 years of age at diagnosis.
  • Slight male predominance (male/female 5.1:3.1)
  • No seasonal predominance

INCIDENCE

The incidence of transient erythroblastopenia of childhood is unknown due to limited data about unreported asymptomatic cases.

RISK-FACTORS

GENETICS

  • There is no simple genetic pattern.
  • Familial transient erythroblastopenia of childhood has been reported (rarely), suggesting a combination of environmental factors and genetic propensity.

GENERAL-PREVENTION

There is no known way to prevent transient erythroblastopenia of childhood.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood is due to the absence of red cell precursors in bone marrow.

ETIOLOGY

  • Unknown
  • Possible viral causes include parvovirus B19 and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), but this remains hypothetical.
  • A serum inhibitor, such as an IgG directed at the committed erythroid stem cell progenitor, has also been proposed but not yet proven.

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