A prospective study of chloramphenicol induced aplastic anaemia in Nigerians.

A five-year prospective study of chloramphenicol induced aplastic anaemia in Nigerians was undertaken. Five proven cases were seen, representing 45.5% of all cases of aplastic anaemia diagnosed during the period of study and 1.0 cases per year. Chloramphenicol induced aplastic anaemia is rare (only 0.002% of all new non-obstetric patients seen in the hospital during the period of study) but preventable. Restriction of the drug or its total withdrawal is recommended.