CDC

Increase in parvovirus B19-associated aplastic crises in children with sickle cell disease

December 3, 2024

Study design: This observational study reviewed data from the Sickle Cell Clinical Database at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) to identify cases of human parvovirus B19-associated aplastic crises in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) from December 14, 2023, to September 30, 2024.

Results: Incidence of B19-associated aplastic crises was 35.6 per 1,000 patient-years, which is 3.6 times higher in the first 9 months of 2024 than the rate observed overall from 2010 to 2023. Common symptoms included pain (78%), fever (62%), fatigue (31%), and respiratory symptoms (26%). The median decline in hemoglobin was 3.6 g/dL, and 78% of patients required RBC transfusions. Complications included acute chest syndrome (27%), splenic sequestration (11%), stroke (3.6%), and nephrotic syndrome (1.8%).

Impact on clinical practice: Clinicians should be aware of increased B19 activity in 2024 and consider B19 infection in persons with SCD presenting with anemia and reticulocytopenia. This population might require urgent blood transfusion to reduce the risk for severe complications.

Source:

Yee ME, et al. (2024, November 28). CDC. Notes from the Field: Increase in Diagnoses of Human Parvovirus B19–Associated Aplastic Crises in Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease — Atlanta, Georgia, December 14, 2023–September 30, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7347a5.htm