Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
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J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. · Aug 1985
Case Reports Comparative StudyErythrocyte lipid alterations in pediatric cholestatic liver disease: spur cell anemia of infancy.
Spur cell anemia of liver disease is a hemolytic process characterized by spiculated erythrocytes and an elevated red cell membrane cholesterol/phospholipid (C/PL) molar ratio. This form of anemia is associated almost exclusively with adults in the advanced stages of alcoholic cirrhosis. We were therefore surprised to identify two unrelated infants with cholestatic liver disease and hemolytic anemia who had spiculated erythrocytes as the major abnormal cell form on peripheral smear. ⋯ Both patients' spur cell anemia resolved and target cells became the major abnormal erythrocyte form. These studies identify a transient form of spur cell anemia associated with infantile cholestatic liver disease. The factors leading to the formation of spur cell anemia in infancy require further investigation.