An Overview of Disease and Health Research Vol. 6

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is an uncommon cause of antibody-induced haemolytic anaemia in children. It involves a rapid breakdown of red blood cells, leading to a decrease in haemoglobin and hematocrit levels. In pediatric patients, it is less of a rare condition. Pediatric AIHA often presents with clinical features such as pallor, jaundice, fatigue, and splenomegaly, and it can be triggered by viral infections like Epstein-Barr virus or Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or as part of an underlying autoimmune condition. In this study, a 03 year old male patient was admitted to a tertiary care hospital with complaints of fever since the last day morning, vomiting since previous day of 5 episodes, containing mostly mucus material, abdominal pain, decreased appetite for 2 days, yellowish discolouration of eyes and dark colored urine noted, and decreased urine output. The patient had a recent travel history to Dubai and had consumed cheese for the first time. The serology showed positive in the Direct Coombs Test (DCT) with a decrease in Haemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCH, MCHC, with a Blood Picture showing features of Hemolytic Anaemia. CRP, Bilirubin, AST, ALP, and Serum LDH levels were increased. This confirmed Autoimmune Hemolytic Anaemia associated with liver enzyme elevation, potentially due to severe hemolysis, a rare condition with an estimated incidence of 0.2 per one million individuals younger than 20 years. Plan of care was primarily with IV corticosteroids, blood transfusion, and folate supplements. Other supportive medications were also given. The condition improved during the course of time in the hospital and was discharged with oral medications. This rare case of AIHA in a pediatric patient highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and management, particularly when secondary causes are suspected.