Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC) presenting as leukoerythroblastic anemia.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC) is usually straightforward, with temporary cessation of red blood cell production resulting in normocytic normochromic anemia, reticulocytopenia, and bone marrow erythroblastopenia. We describe here a case of TEC presenting with features of leukoerythroblastic anemia. To our knowledge, this is the first such report for TEC.

PATIENT AND METHODS: The case of a 1-year-old girl is described who had a leukoerythroblastic anemia. Bone marrow examination and clinical course indicated that the anemia had a benign etiology-TEC.

RESULTS: The patient presented with anemia, leukocytosis, and a left shift, with metamyelocytes, myelocytes, myeloblasts, and nucleated red cells in the circulation. There was no apparent viral etiology, and the bone marrow aspirate findings were consistent with a recovering marrow. After transfusion, the patient had an uneventful recovery from TEC.

CONCLUSION: TEC can cause leukoerythroblastic anemia. TEC with this presentation is clinically similar to TEC without leukoerythroblastosis, but other causes of leukoerythroblastosis need to be excluded.