Rituximab for Treatment of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia.
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Date
2012-08
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Abstract
We report the successful use of rituximab as single treatment modality in a five-month-old
boy with fulminant warm autoantibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia, resistant to standard
treatment. On admission, laboratory tests showed a profound anemia with a hemoglobin of
2.6 g/dL. Indirect and direct antiglobulin tests were strongly positive, and nonspecific IgG
autoantibodies were detected. Two days of intravenous corticosteroids (methylprednisolone
4mg/kg) and immunoglobulins (1g/kg) did not halt the hemolysis and the infant was severely
transfusion-dependent. Rituximab 375mg/sq m weekly was given for 4 weeks, the
hepatosplenomegaly gradually regressed, the lymphocytes normalized and he is free from
hemolysis two years after treatment.
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Keywords
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Rituximab
Citation
Kuzmanovic Milos, Jurisic Vladimir. Rituximab for Treatment of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Indian Pediatrics. 2012 August; 49(8): 672-674.