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Pyruvate kinase (PK) is a key enzyme of anaerobic glycolysis. The genetic heterogeneity of PK deficiency (PKD) is high, and over 400 unique variants have been identified. Twenty-nine patients who had been diagnosed as PKD genetically in seven distinct paediatric haematology departments were evaluated. Fifteen of 23 patients (65.2%) had low PK levels. The PK:hexokinase ratio had 100% sensitivity for PKD diagnosis, superior to PK enzyme assay. Two novel intronic variants (c.695-1G>A and c.694+43C>T) have been described. PKD should be suspected in patients with chronic non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia, even if enzyme levels are falsely normal. Total PKLR gene sequencing is necessary for the characterization of patients with PKD and for genetic counselling., (© 2024 British Society for Haematology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Here, we report a case of hemophilia A with myocarditis, encephalopathy, and spontaneous intramedullary hemorrhage. A 14-month-old male infant presented with loss of consciousness, generalized tonic-clonic convulsions, and cardiac failure. The neurological examination was normal. Myocarditis was diagnosed. After administration of fresh frozen plasma, the aPTT did not return to normal. The factor VIII (FVIII) level was 10.2% the normal level, and the patient was diagnosed with hemophilia A. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) evaluation was unremarkable, with the exception of elevated CSF protein levels. An electroencephalogram revealed diffuse slowing of background activity. The spinal MRI revealed chronic bleeding in areas of the medulla spinalis. Tests for the antibodies associated with autoimmune encephalitis were negative. Anti-thyroglobulin (THG) (11.8 U/mL [normal, 0 to 4 U/mL]) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) (53.9 U/mL [normal, 0 to 9 U/mL]) antibodies were present in the serum. The patient received 1 g/kg intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) for 2 days based on a diagnosis of myocarditis and Hashimoto's encephalopathy. After the first month of treatment his clinical findings were negative. He developed an inhibitor to FVIII 1 month after initiation of FVIII replacement therapy. Hemophilia A has various clinical presentations. Autoimmunity may lead to early inhibitor development in patients with hemophilia.

Renal involvement in non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a recognized development, but it mostly follows a diagnosis of lymphoma. We describe a rare case of a T-cell-type non-Hodgkin lymphoma that first presents as nephromegaly in a 5-year-old girl admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain. Further investigation revealed bilateral nephromegaly, but the results of blood tests, imaging studies, and bone marrow aspiration were inconclusive. During the second week of hospitalization, significant physical examination revealed an enlarged lymph node in the anterior cervical chains, confirming a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This case illustrates that it is important to have a high degree of suspicion in any patient presenting with unexplained enlarged kidneys without any identifiable cause because it could be the first presentation of a hematologic malignancy.

Background: Isolated hemolysis or hemolytic anemia and 5-oxoprolinuria are 2 distinct medical conditions in the clinical spectrum associated with glutathione synthetase deficiency., Clinical Observation: A 1-day-old female baby presented with anemia and respiratory distress. Her hemoglobin level was 9.5 g/dL and the total serum bilirubin level was 5.6 mg/dL. Metabolic acidosis was detected in her blood gas analysis. Metabolic acidosis recurred despite treatment and further investigation was required. Her 5-oxoproline level was 3815 mmol/mol creatinine in urine organic acid analysis, and a homozygous mutation [p.R125H (c.374G>A)] was found in the glutathione synthetase gene., Conclusions: GSD has been observed in very few patients and is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of hemolytic anemia in newborns.

Although congenital afibrinogenemia is a rare autosomal recessive bleeding disorder, it can be more frequently encountered in countries where consanguineous marriages are common. Congenital afibrinogenemia is characterized by the undetectable low level of fibrinogen, which causes hemorrhagic diathesis. Paradoxically, arterial and venous thromboembolic complications can develop in patients with afibrinogenemia, which may cause a diagnostic problem to anyone unfamiliar with its clinical features. We report a case of congenital afibrinogenemia presenting with bilateral ischemic lesions of bilateral foot and ankle that required amputations. The patient was treated with fibrinogen concentrate, low-molecular-weight heparin, aspirin, and nifedipine. In conclusion, arterial and venous thromboembolic complications are rare, but severe complications of afibrinogenemia. The management of thromboembolic complications in patients with afibrinogenemia is a balance game. At one end of the scale, there is a bleeding disorder, and at the other end, there is a thrombosis. This fine adjustment is a job of mastery.

Vincristine (VCR) is a fundamental component of various chemotherapy protocols. Several reports of accidental intramuscular (i.m.) administration or overdose of VCR have been published in the medical literature. We report on an uneventful clinical course of both i.m. and overdose of VCR in a 6-year-old girl with Wilms' tumor. To prevent the administration of overdosed drug by the i.m. route accidentally, chemotherapy should be administrated only by experienced medical doctors.

Background: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a life-threatening situation in childhood. Congenital factor deficiencies (CFD) like hemophilia may cause ICH, and ICH may be the initial presentation in some cases., Methods: From 2000 to 2010, 107 children with CFD from Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Hematology, were evaluated. The ICH episodes were identified by medical history, general physical examination, detailed neurological examination, and CT or MR scan. The management strategies, surgical intervention, and outcome were noted., Results: Twenty-one episodes of ICH were seen in 18 patients (16.8%) out of 107 CFD patients. The mean age of the patients was 42.1 months. Fourteen out of 18 patients were male, and four were female. Twelve (57.1%) out of 21 ICH episodes were caused by trauma, and nine (42.9%) were non-trauma related. Epidural hematoma was most frequently observed. All patients survived, but four had decrease in intellectual capacity and motor deficit., Conclusion: The optimal management of ICH in children with CFD depends on immediate recognition and prompt replacement therapy to ensure hemostatic balance with adequate surgical intervention.