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Infantile pyknocytosis: a cause of haemolytic anaemia of the newborn
Author(s) -
EyssetteGuerreau Stéphanie,
BaderMeunier Brigitte,
Garcon Loïc,
Guitton C.,
Cynober Thérèse
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2006.06033.x
Subject(s) - medicine , jaundice , incidence (geometry) , pediatrics , blood count , anemia , gastroenterology , physics , optics
Summary This study defined the incidence, clinical and haematological characteristics of infantile pyknocytosis in a monocentric retrospective study of 149 blood samples referred for unexplained neonatal haemolytic anaemia. Pyknocytosis was diagnosed in 14 patients (9·4%). All patients had neonatal jaundice and severe anaemia (mean nadir haemoglobin: 6·8 g/dl) at a mean age of 21 d. The percentage of pyknocytes was 4–23%. Packed red blood cell transfusions were needed in 11 of 14 patients. Haemoglobin levels reached normal values within a mean time of 4 months. Infantile pyknocytosis is an unusual cause of neonatal haemolytic anaemia, which requires careful examination of blood smears.