Acute hemolysis in association with hepatitis B infection in a child with beta-thalassemia trait

Turk J Pediatr. 1994 Jul-Sep;36(3):259-62.

Abstract

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia may occur in the course of some viral diseases such as Coxsackie virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, Influenza A, herpes simplex virus, and rarely hepatitis B virus infection. The role of being heterozygous for beta-thalassemia in hemolysis during acute viral hepatitis is not known. In this report, we present an eight-year-old boy with jaundice and anemia. The diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection and hemolytic anemia were made on the basis of physical and laboratory findings. A hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed that the child was heterozygous for beta-thalassemia. No specific etiology could be found for hemolytic anemia. It remained unclear whether hemolytic anemia in this patient was merely a coincidental finding or whether hepatitis B virus infection and beta-thalassemia trait had played a role in causing hemolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / complications*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Hemolysis
  • Hepatitis B / complications*
  • Hepatitis B / physiopathology
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • beta-Thalassemia / complications*
  • beta-Thalassemia / genetics
  • beta-Thalassemia / physiopathology