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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