Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood is typically self-limited. Which finding best supports this diagnosis?

• A. Reticulocytopenia following a viral infection
• B. Persistent reticulocytosis after infection
• C. Elevated reticulocytes with iron deficiency
• D. Splenomegaly on exam

Answer: (A)

Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood arises from a temporary suppression of erythroid precursors after a viral illness, so the body cannot produce new red cells for a short period. The clue that supports this diagnosis is a low reticulocyte count after a recent infection—reticulocytopenia—because it shows the bone marrow isn’t making new red cells despite anemia. This pattern fits TEC, where other blood lines are usually normal and the marrow later recovers, leading to a rise in reticulocytes and improvement of anemia over weeks.

Why the other patterns don’t fit as well: ongoing or high reticulocytes would suggest active erythropoiesis or a different process; iron deficiency shows iron-restricted erythropoiesis and often microcytosis with abnormal iron studies; splenomegaly points to other hematologic conditions such as hemolysis or storage disorders. The key, characteristic finding in TEC is transient reticulocytopenia following a viral illness.