Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) Secondary to <i>Cytomegalovirus</i> (CMV) Infection in a 2-Month-Old Infant: A Case Report

Abstract

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare hematologic disorder in the pediatric population and most cases are associated with microbiological infection. The pathological process is not completely clear, but some evidence suggests immunological dysregulation triggered by bacterial or viral infections. Based on the thermal range of the pathogenic antibody, AIHA can be divided into warm (WAIHA) and cold (CAIHA) groups. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common viruses reported as a trigger of AIHA. We present an unusual case of AIHA in a 2-month-old infant positive for both the direct antiglobulin test (C3 complement fraction) and CMV–Polymerase chain reaction in blood samples. In this case, the dating of the infection was uncertain, making it impossible to discriminate between congenital flare-up or a primary acute episode, emphasizing the importance of CMV prenatal testing as a screening measure. We adopted multiple therapeutic strategies including steroids (methylprednisolone and prednisone), Intravenous Immunoglobulin, antivirals (ganciclovir and valganciclovir), and red blood cell transfusion.

Keywords

• autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• cytomegalovirus
• children