The aplastic crisis in sickle-cell anaemia

ABSTRACT

Of 12 patients with aplastic crisis associated sickle-cell disease, eleven were children with sickle-cell anaemia, and one was an adult with sickle-cell haemoglobin-C disease. Ten of the cases were seen over a period of less than 7 months, and the syndrome may be commoner than has previously been supposed. Evidence is given to support the hypothesis that the distribution of sickle-cell and foetal haemoglobins in the erythrocytes in sickle-cell anaemia is not homogeneous. The fact that seven of the cases belonged to three families implies that infection may play an important aetiological role. This view is supported by the clinical presentation, and by the fact that one patient apparently had infectious mononucleosis. Bacterial and viral studies fail to demonstrate any aetiological agent in these cases (Summary)