What is Aplastic Crisis?

An aplastic crisis happens when the body stops making red blood cells for a short time.  This causes a person's hemoglobin to drop lower than normal and sometimes very low.  This is a serious complication that usually requires a child to be admitted to the hospital.  An aplastic crisis can happen very quickly.  The crisis usually will last 7 to 10 days but not all of that time will need treatment in the hospital.

What causes an aplastic crisis?

Your body can stop making red blood cells when infected with a virus called parvovirus.  This virus is different from the one found in dogs.  It is a common virus among children. The virus is spread by people coughing or sneezing into the air.  Most of the time you do not even know you were exposed to it.  Parvovirus can be spread easily but is usually not harmful to others.  However, it can cause problems in people who are pregnant or have sickle cell disease.

What are the symptoms?

• Being very tired
• Very pale (light in color) skin, lips or nails
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Fever
• Fainting
• Fast heartbeat
• Not feeling well

How is it diagnosed and treated?

• Usually admit to the hospital
• Blood draws to watch hemoglobin levels
• Blood transfusion if the hemoglobin gets too low
• Extra clinic visits to see if hemoglobin is coming back up

Call the sickle cell nurse or doctor at 816-234-3265 (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm) or the Hematology/Oncology nurse on call at 816-234-3000 (after office hours, weekends and holidays) if your child:

• Has a fever of 101.5ºF (38.6^oC) or higher.
• Looks very pale.
• Seems more tired than usual.

Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics

Kansas City,Missouri                                                       Overland Park,Kansas

Care cards are provided as a public education service. The information does not replace instructions your physician gives you. If you have questions about your child's care, please call your physician.

Estas instruccions son provistas como un servicio educacional. La information no sustituye las instrucciones de su medico. Si tiene preguntas encuanto al duidado de su niño, por favor llame a su medico.