Anaemia and Temporary Erythroblastopaenia in Children

Summary Over a period of 7 years, 12 patients were seen at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children with a symptomatic normocytic, normochromic anaemia and reticulocytopaenia. The initial bone marrow aspirates revealed erythroblastopaenia as the only abnormality. The cause of this condition remains uncertain. However, all children fully recovered within a few weeks after diagnosis. A single course of steroid therapy was given to 3 children, whilst the remainder received no therapy. Recurrence was observed in one child only. Thus, on clinical and haematological grounds, differentiation from Gasser's[1][GASSER, C., 1949] series could be made. Failure to recognize this syndrome will lead to a number of unnecessary investigations. Furthermore, a life‐long iatrogenic diagnostic label may be given in error for a benign, self‐limiting condition in childhood.