Treatment is dependent on the etiology and may include replacement of blood products as patients can develop severe anemia.
Parvovirus is able to infiltrate the bone marrow and enter and replicate in red blood cell precursors such as reticulocytes.
This transient cessation in red cell production results in a decrease in hemoglobin that is often asymptomatic in people without underlying hematologic disorders.
Diamond-Blackfan Anemia is an example of a congenital bone marrow failure syndrome that primarily affects red blood cell production.
For the patient with isolated reticulocytopenia and anemia without significant disturbances in other cell lineages, the initial evaluation may include some of the following studies:[7] Depending on findings on initial evaluation, may consider investigating the cause of low reticulocyte count with some of the following studies depending on patient presentation and differential diagnoses: The goal is to treat the underlying condition if it can be identified and provide supportive care.
Disease specific management may include glucocorticoids, IVIG, immunosuppressive agents, stem cell transplant, or other treatments depending on the etiology of reticulocytopenia.
[7] Severe anemia can lead to complications such as heart failure due to volume overload, bone marrow necrosis, etc.
Patients may require IVIG or replacement of blood products during this transient bone marrow failure to reduce the chance of serious complications from the severe anemia.