Perfil clínico-epidemiológico dos pacientes pediátricos portadores de anemia hemolítica autoimune em um serviço de referência

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a group of diseases characterized by the presence of autoantibodies that bind to erythrocytes reducing the half-life of these cells. It is a rare condition that occurs in about 1-3 cases per 100,000 children per year, more common in males in ratio of 2:1 cases. This study aimed to obtain the clinical and epidemiological profile of pediatric patients diagnosed with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), treated at the reference outpatient clinic. METHODS: Participated in the study through analysis of medical records and completion of the research protocol 24 children with AIHA attended at the reference outpatient clinic between 2009 and 2019, age from 0 to 18 years. Clinical, laboratory and outcome data were obtained from patients records. RESULTS: The results showed that most of the children are female (58%), receive early diagnosis until 2 years of age (58%). The direct antiglobulin test was positive in over 95% of cases. The patients presented cutaneous-mucous pallor (50%) as the initial symptom. However, the limitations inherent in the study, which had a small sample due to the rarity of the disease, should be evaluated. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of AIHA must be made early, based on a detailed clinical history, suspected by the pediatrician through the characteristic signs of hemolysis and initiated treatment with corticotherapy, which shows high rates of remission and cure of the pathology.