Mechanical Hemolytic Anemia Associated With Mitral Valve Repair: A Case Report With Literature Review.

Hemolytic anemia could be caused by several conditions, depending on intrinsic or extrinsic defects of the erythrocyte. The latter group includes mechanical intravascular hemolysis, generally related to malfunctioning prosthetic heart valves or, rarely, heart valves repair. We describe a case of a child with Down syndrome, who developed hemolytic anemia after mitral valve repair. We observed that this condition is a rare complication in pediatrics, with only 7 cases reported in literature. Mechanical hemolysis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of a new-onset hemolytic anemia, especially in patients with valvular heart disease, undergoing cardiac surgery.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated acute pancreatitis: a clinical report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is a disorder of reversible inflammation of the pancreas. Only a few cases are related to infections and the most common pathogens are the viruses responsible for mumps, parotitis, and influenza. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated acute pancreatitis is a rare condition and it may occur in children and adults. CASE PRESENTATION: A 3-year-old female was admitted to the "G. Di Cristina" Children's Hospital in Palermo for vomiting and abdominal pain. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated amylase and lipase, with normal liver function tests. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated an enlarged pancreas, with hypoechogenic areas; no biliary lithiasis was observed. Infectious disease serology was positive for the presence of EBV VCA IgM and IgG. A diagnosis of EBV-associated acute pancreatitis was made. The patient was treated conservatively and recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Acute pancreatitis is rarely associated with EBV infection; a review of the English literature revealed only 10 pediatric and 6 adult cases. Patients with pancreatitis should always be evaluated for EBV serology, even in the absence of the typical clinical and hematological features of infectious mononucleosis. For these patients, good prognosis is generally expected.

Rasburicase-induced Methemoglobinemia: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Rasburicase is a recombinant urate oxidase enzyme indicated for tumor lysis syndrome, a potential life-threatening oncologic emergency that occurs most commonly during initial chemotherapy for hematological malignancies. As a result of the defects in the physiological antioxidant pathway, erythrocytes of patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency are not protected against the oxidizing stress exerted by hydrogen peroxide generated with the administration of rasburicase. The authors report a 14-year-old patient, diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who developed methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia with low oxygen saturation after starting steroids, hyperhydratation, and rasburicase administration. The complications resolved with supportive therapy only.