Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia in pediatric patients: single center experience

Abstract Introduction Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia is a rare type of acquired aplastic anemia that occurs after hepatitis. This study investigated cases with hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia. Methods The files of patients with hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia who were followed up in our hospital between 2011-2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Results A total of 15 patients with hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (10 males, 5 girls; mean age 10.26 + 3.61 years) were analyzed. The mean duration between hepatitis and aplastic anemia was 5.06 + 4.19 months. The majority of patients had mild hepatitis. The causes of hepatitis were detected only in six patients: three had hepatitis B, one had hepatitis A, one had autoimmune hepatitis and, one had a hydatid cyst. The cause of hepatitis was not found in nine patients. Only one patient with hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia developed spontaneous remission, and the others required immunosuppressive therapy and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Only one patient died because of sepsis. The other patients are still under follow-up and treatment. Conclusion Patients with hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia, mostly of unknown cause, can be successfully treated with immunosuppressive therapy and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.