Abstract

Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection in children is usually asymptomatic, but some children or young adults manifest infectious mononucleosis with typical symptoms of fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and a typical lymphocytosis. The infection caused by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) can be followed by immunological complications. One of these is autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) that it is rare but well known ~1:1000 patients with infectious mononucleosis. Two male patients, aged 2  and 2.5 years old  with autoimmune hemolytic anemia  caused by Epstein-Barr virus admitted to our hospital with pallor, palpitation, fever and scleral icterus. Viral capsid antigen -IgM was positive in both cases, indicating the presence of primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. AIHA risk of EBV infection in the first two weeks  might be considered closely because of life threatening complications such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Key words: Epstein-Barr Virus, coombs positive, autoimmune hemolytic anemia.