Hemolytic Anemia Presenting With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

• Published in: Pediatric neurology 2008, Vol.38 (1), p.53-54
• Main Authors: Vargiami, Euthymia, MD, PhD, Zafeiriou, Dimitrios I., MD, PhD, Gombakis, Nikos P., MD, PhD, Kirkham, Fenella J., MB, BChir, Athanasiou-Metaxa, Miranda, MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemia, Hemolytic - complications; Anemia, Hemolytic - physiopathology; Anemia, Hemolytic - virology; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cerebrospinal fluid. Meninges. Spinal cord; Child; Clinical manifestations. Epidemiology. Investigative techniques. Etiology; Female; Headache - etiology; Hematocrit; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous - therapeutic use; Medical sciences; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Papilledema - etiology; Parvoviridae Infections - complications; Parvovirus B19, Human; Pediatrics; Prednisone - therapeutic use; Pseudotumor Cerebri - diagnosis; Pseudotumor Cerebri - etiology; Pseudotumor Cerebri - physiopathology; Treatment Outcome; Vomiting - etiology
• ISSN: 0887-8994; 1873-5150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2007.08.012

We report on an 8-year-old girl with hemolytic anemia because of infection with parvovirus B19 and increased intracranial pressure. She presented acutely with headache, vomiting, and mild scleral and mucosal icterus. Upon evaluation, the patient exhibited profound hemolytic anemia, papilledema, and increased intracranial pressure. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, prednisone, and packed red blood cells. Concurrent with an improvement of her anemia, she experienced a gradual resolution of her headache, vomiting, and optic-disc swelling. Signs of idiopathic intracranial hypertension may occur as a consequence of severe anemia, and are reversible upon correction of the underlying hematologic disorder.