Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood. A review of 22 cases.

In the period 1975-1983 22 patients, aged 4-36 months were seen with severe transient normochromic, normocytic anaemia caused by a transient erythroblastopenia. In 20 patients bone marrow aspirations were obtained; they showed erythroblastopenia. In ten cases we observed young lymphoid cells, suggesting a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. One patient suspected of a leukaemia, was studied in more detail. All patients showed reticulocytopenia. MCV and HbF were within normal range. During recovery reticulocytosis and higher levels of HbF were found. Except for blood transfusion in most patients, therapy (e.g. corticosteroids) was not necessary. Spontaneous recovery is a feature of this kind of erythroblastopenia, contrasting with congenital hypoplastic anaemia.