Abstract
A previously healthy male infant developed hepatosplenomegaly, severe anaemia and thrombocytopenia 5 weeks after birth. Marked haemophagocytosis was present in the bone marrow. A typical maculopapular rash suggested early congenital syphilis. The diagnosis was confirmed by serology and by the presence of untreated syphilis in both parents.
Conclusion Syphilis needs to be excluded in infants suspected of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
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Received: 8 April 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 2 November 1998
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Pohl, M., Niemeyer, C., Hentschel, R. et al. Haemophagocytosis in early congenital syphilis. Eur J Pediatr 158, 553–555 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310051145
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310051145