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Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection associated with hemolytic anemia--report of one case

Jinn-Li Wang1, Man-Yau Ho, Ein-Yiao Shen

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Medical University, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. jlwang@wanfang.gov.tw

Acta Paediatrica Taiwanica = Taiwan Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi
|May 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae rarely causes immune hemolytic anemia in children. This case highlights a severe cold agglutinin-induced hemolytic anemia in a child, successfully treated with transfusion, IVIG, and erythromycin.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Hematology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Immune hemolytic anemia is a rare pediatric condition.
  • Cold agglutinins are implicated in hemolysis, often associated with infections like Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae commonly causes respiratory infections in children, but inducing hemolytic anemia is exceptional.

Observation:

  • A case of severe cold agglutinin-related hemolytic anemia (Hb = 3.8 gm/dl) in a child secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is presented.
  • The patient experienced significant hemolysis attributed to cold agglutinins.

Findings:

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can exceptionally trigger the production of cold agglutinins.
  • This can lead to severe immune hemolytic anemia in pediatric patients.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider Mycoplasma pneumoniae as a rare but potential cause of cold agglutinin-induced hemolytic anemia in children.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment, including blood transfusion, IVIG, and antibiotics like erythromycin, are crucial for recovery.

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