Two-step immunoablative treatment with autologous peripheral blood CD34(+) cell transplantation in an 8-year-old boy with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.

Life-threatening haemolysis in children with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) occurs rarely. Many cases of severe autoimmune disease are currently treated with immunosuppressive high-dose chemotherapy and autograft. We report here a case of a child with severe AIHA who did not respond to conventional treatments, but was cured with an autologous peripheral blood CD34(+) cell transplantation. After d 16 post autograft, no further red cell transfusions were required. At 20 months post autograft, haematological complete remission persists.