Complete hematologic recovery in pediatric aplastic anemia following traditional Chinese medicine monotherapy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a rare bone marrow failure disorder characterized by pancytopenia and a hypocellular bone marrow. Standard treatments, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and immunosuppressive therapy (IST), may be associated with significant risks and are not suitable for all patients. Evidence regarding the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a standalone therapy for AA remains limited.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 6-year-old girl with non-severe AA who declined conventional therapies. After unsuccessful treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and blood transfusions, TCM was initiated and adjusted according to the clinical response. Hemoglobin (Hb) normalized within 6months, platelet counts within 9 months, and white blood cell counts within 12 months, demonstrating a temporal pattern consistent with sequential recovery of trilineage hematopoiesis. Transient declines in blood counts occurred after vaccination or intercurrent infections, but these subsequently recovered and remained stable during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This case demonstrates a gradual and sequential pattern of hematologic recovery in pediatric AA under TCM treatment. Although spontaneous recovery cannot be excluded, the temporal association with TCM and the sustained stability observed over long-term follow-up may suggest a potential contributory role of TCM. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its efficacy, safety, and underlying mechanisms.