Hypoplastic congenital anemia

Abstract

Summary A case of congenital hypoplastic anemia is presented. The outstandingfeatures were a severe diminution in the erythropoietic and granulocytic bone marrow elements with a less marked decrease in thrombocytes. There were no evidences of blood regeneration or of destruction. Life was maintained only by repeated transfusions, and none of the blood-producing substances were of any value. The infant seemed able to adjust himself perfectly to low hemoglobin and red cell levels. In spite of rather low platelet counts there was no hemorrhagic tendency. At the age of 21 months the count suddenly began to rise and at this writing is practically normal. No etiologic factor was discovered. An interesting sidelight is the remarkable resistance to infection and recuperative power of this infant, even during periods of profound anemia.