[Autoimmune hemolytic anaemia in childhood. Review and report of one case (author's transl)].

Autoimmune hemolytic anaemia (AIHA) in childhood is associated with antibodies produced by the patient himself, which coat his red cells causing their hemolysis. Although in some cases no underlying disease could be found, in the majority of children a virus etiology is apparent. There are very few reports regarding the use of treatment with immunsuppressive agents and the possible benefit. The article reports one case of AIHA. The patient developed at age 6 months a prolonged chronic form of AIHA complicated by thrombopenic purpura. The recent knowledge about pathogenesis, clinical phenomena, serology and prognosis is discussed. Treatment with corticosteroids, azathioprine or cyclophosphamide failed to benefit. Splenectomy and 6-mercaptopurin therapy (3 months) resulted in a complete remission.