Persistent Questions about the Treatment of Severe Aplastic Anemia in Children as Illustrated by Five Cases

Abstract

We present our recent experience treating five children with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). One patient was transplanted and the remaining 4 patients were treated with immunosuppression of various types and duration. These five cases illustrate the many outstanding points which remain to be clarified regarding the care of children with SAA. We have outlined the treatment options available to each of these patients and the path that we followed along with their outcomes. Additional research and consideration is necessary to arrive at definitive answers to the questions posed by these five cases.

Keywords:

• Severe aplastic anemia
• Moderate aplastic anemia
• Anti-thymocyte immune globulin
• Rabbit anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin
• Cyclosporine
• Bone marrow transplantation