ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC), the characteristic features of which are clearly described by its name: it is a transient hypoplastic anemia that lasts a few weeks; it is associated with a marked reduction of bone marrow erythroblasts; and it occurs almost exclusively in young children. The three major causes of red cell aplasia in children are TEC, Diamond-Blackfan anemia, and acquired hypoplastic anemia associated with chronic hemolysis. The incidence of TEC is the same in boys and girls. It has been reported to occur simultaneously in identical twins, and we have seen it present at the same time in fraternal twins. The most reasonable concept of the pathogenesis of TEC is that it is due to transient immunosuppression of normal erythropoiesis. The transient nature of TEC and the putative role of antibody in this process is similar to the scenario of childhood idiopathic thrombocytic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
