[A case of pure red cell aplasia associated with sodium valproate therapy]

Abstract

We reported a 14-year-old female with petit mal epilepsy who suffered from pure red cell aplasia 12 weeks after sodium valproate (VPA) therapy started. On admission she presented anemia but no jaundice. Her hemoglobin was 5.4g/dl and bone-marrow biopsy revealed hypocellularity with erythroid hypoplasia. The Direct Coombs' test and anti-nucleotide antibody were positive. Reticulocytosis occurred 10 days after discontinuation of VPA. The Direct Coombs' test became negative one year after discontinuation of VPA. In general, drug-induced PRCA is caused by toxic or allergic agents, but this case suggests the immune mechanism of VPA-induced PRCA.