[Interferon alpha in the treatment of polycythemia vera in a 13-year-old girl].

The authors present a rare case of polycythemia vera (PV) in a 13-year-old girl initially treated with phlebotomy only and then also with interferon alpha at a dose of 3 x 10(6) U three times per week subcutaneously. The treatment outcome measure was the reduction of the number of phlebotomies required to retain a normal hematocrit value. Treatment with interferon enabled a substantial reduction of phlebotomies and caused a decrease in platelet count. These results confirm that interferon alpha may be regarded as a promising therapeutic approach in the management of PV.