ABSTRACT
AIM: To describe the first case of ceftriaxone-related haemolysis in a patient with congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS). BACKGROUND: Severe haemolysis caused by an immune reaction to ceftriaxone has mostly been described in patients with underlying haematological or immune dysfunction. CASE REPORT: The authors present a 20-month-old boy with CNS of the Finnish type with several previous severe infections treated with ceftriaxone, admitted for suspected sepsis. Following ceftriaxone administration he developed shock secondary to an acute haemolytic reaction, with severe anaemia. Hypersensitivity to ceftriaxone was documented through positive agglutination tests. CONCLUSION: Onset of haemolysis following ceftriaxone administration, particularly in a patient previously exposed to the drug, must raise the suspicion of a possible immune reaction.
