Background: Hematological changes are uncommon in childhood sarcoidosis.
Case report: Case 1. This patient developed severe hemolytic anemia associated with splenomegaly at the age of 11 months. A second episode of hemolysis was seen at the age of 6 years; it was associated with thrombocytopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia. A partial splenectomy permitted histological diagnosis of sarcoidosis that was confirmed by elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme level, and subsequently developement of pulmonary involvement. Case 2. This boy suffered from autoimmune hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia associated with splenomegaly at the age of 3 years. At the age of 7 years, he had splenomegaly, enlarged cervical and lomboaortic lymph nodes and hypogammaglobulinemia. Diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made from lymph nodes and spleen biopsies after splenectomy; the patient had increased angiotensin-converting enzyme concentration, and subsequently developed specific renal involvement.
Conclusion: Association of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypogammaglobulinemia and splenomegaly should suggest the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and could be considered as part of the disease spectrum.