Aplastic anaemia in children

ABSTRACT

Aplastic anaemia is a hematological disorder characterized by pancytopenia resulting from early stem cell deficiency. Chemical exposure, medicines, viral infections and immunodeficiency are the aetiological factors responsible. This study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Mayo Hospital, Lahore from January 1994 to December 1995. Out of 40 children 26 were boys and 14 were girls with median age of 8 years. An association with history of drug intake was present in 32/40 patients The most common relationship was seen with chloramphenicol [40%]. Pallor [47%], bleeding tendency [62%] and prolonged fever [42%] were the most common symptoms and anemia [100%], mucosal bleed [50%] and ecchymoses [37%] commonest signs. All patients had pancytopenia, reduced reticulocyte count and prolonged bleeding time. In this study secondary aplastic anemia was seen more commonly than idiopathic variety and the most common agent responsible was chloramphenicol