Treatment of idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia in children. Review and report of two fatal cases in infancy.

Report of two cases of severe idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in infants who underwent splenectomy and received corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide without benefit. One infant, additionally, was treated with thymectomy and azathioprine without influencing his disease. Experience of therapy for childhood AIHA is reviewed. Four children with AIHA have been thymectomized. Two of these failed to benefit from surgery. There have been fifteen previous trials with immunosuppressive agents in childhood AIHA. About 60% of the children so treated (9 of 15) have shown improvement. Additional clinical trials with this agent are warranted.