Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in a Child Treated with Thymectomy

Abstract

A male patient kat present, 8 years of age) with autoimmune hemolytic anemia of ‘warm type’ was under our observation since 3 years and 6 months of age, when he was first admitted to our hospital. The patient was treated by splenectomy and long-term steroid medication for 2 years and 3 months. However, because a complete remission could not be attained, the patient was thymectomized as a last resort at the age of 5 years and I month. Apparently, thymectomy was effective in reducing the steroid dosage (1.25mg 4 successive days a week to 0.75mg 3 successive days a week), in improving the clinical symptoms and in abolishing the necessities of blood transfusions.