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.

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How to cite

1.
Gürgey A, Yüce A, Ozbek N, Koçak N. Acute hemolysis in association with hepatitis B infection in a child with beta-thalassemia trait. Turk J Pediatr 1994; 36: 259-262.