[IgG type autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a 7-week-old infant]

A 7 week old infant was admitted for auto-immune hemolytic anemia, of progressive onset. Auto-antibodies were of IgG nature and of anti-e and anti-nl specificity. Treatment associated transfusions of leukocyte-free blood and corticosteroids reaching 4,5 mg/kg/day. Hemolysis stopped after 15 days and corticosteroid therapy was stopped without incident over 30 days. One month later, the clinical status was excellent, blood count was normal and immuno-hematological tests were negative. This case is a new one of the few auto-immune hemolytic anemias in children under 3 months of age. All showed an adequate immune development allowing the typical clinical and biological picture of an auto-immune disease, in spite of the classical idea of immunological immaturity, at this age.