Hematologic abnormalities associated with influenza A infection: A report of 3 cases

Influenza A is associated with leukopenia, although it is not reported to c ause isolated thrombocytopenia, anemia, or pancytopenia. The authors report three pediatric patients with transient cytopenias associated with influen za A infection, all of whom had evidence for influenza A infection by direc t immunofluorescence from nasopharyngeal aspirates. In all patients, cytope nias were transient and improved as their viral symptoms resolved. All pati ents improved spontaneously. This is the first report of transient pancytop enia, anemia, or thrombocytopenia associated with influenza A infection, Gi ven the high frequency of influenza A infections during the winter months, it is important to recognize the associated hematologic findings.