Diagnosis and management of autoimmune cytopenias in childhood.

Abstract

The diagnosis and management of children with autoimmune cytopenias can be challenging. Children can present with immune-mediated destruction of a single-cell lineage or multiple cell lineages, including platelets (immune thrombocytopenia [ITP]), erythrocytes (autoimmune hemolytic anemia), and neutrophils (autoimmune neutropenia). Immune-mediated destruction can be primary or secondary to a comorbid immunodeficiency, malignancy, rheumatologic condition, or lymphoproliferative disorder. Treatment options generally consist of nonspecific immune suppression or modulation. This nonspecific approach is changing as recent insights into disease biology have led to targeted therapies, including the use of thrombopoietin mimetics in ITP and sirolimus for cytopenias associated with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome.

• Authors: David T Teachey, Michele P Lambert
• Journal: Pediatric clinics of North America (Pediatr Clin North Am) Vol. 60 Issue 6 Pg. 1489-511 (Dec 2013) ISSN: 1557-8240 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24237984 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Immunologic Factors

Topics

• Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune (diagnosis, therapy)
• Child
• Humans
• Immunologic Factors (therapeutic use)
• Immunotherapy (methods)
• Neutropenia (diagnosis, therapy)
• Thrombocytopenia (diagnosis, therapy)