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TEC (Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood)

User Alup
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Final answer:

Transient Erythroblastopenia of Childhood (TEC) is a temporary disorder causing anemia in children that typically resolves on its own. It should not be confused with other conditions like SCID, erythroblastosis fetalis, or aplastic anemia, which have different causes and treatments. Bone marrow transplant can be a lifesaving procedure for conditions like SCID.

Step-by-step explanation:

Transient Erythroblastopenia of Childhood (TEC)

Transient Erythroblastopenia of Childhood (TEC) is a rare disorder characterized by a temporary stop in the production of red blood cells, leading to anemia in young children. TEC generally resolves without treatment. However, in severe cases of anemia, treatments such as blood transfusions may be necessary. It differs from other conditions mentioned in the passages such as SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency), erythroblastosis fetalis, aplastic anemia, and thalassemia, which have different underlying causes and treatments.

In the case of SCID, children typically do not survive infancy unless they receive a bone marrow transplant. This procedure was not available to David Vetter who lived in isolation due to the risk of infection. Bone marrow transplants work because of the proliferative capabilities of hematopoietic stem cells, which can reconstitute a patient's immune system.

Erythroblastosis fetalis, also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn, is caused by an immune response and can be prevented by administering RhoGAM to the mother during pregnancy. Tissue transplantation and the compatibility of MHC molecules are critical to prevent transplant rejection. Issues like red blood cell destruction during transfusion and conditions like aplastic anemia, thalassemia, and exposure to lead also relate to red blood cell production and survival.

2 votes

Final answer:

Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC) is a condition where there's a temporary drop in red blood cell production in children, which usually resolves on its own, unlike SCID which requires bone marrow transplantation for survival.

Step-by-step explanation:

Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC) is a temporary condition involving a decrease in red blood cells produced by the bone marrow. This can lead to anemia in young children but typically resolves without treatment. This condition is markedly different from the severe immunodeficiency known as SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency), where children are highly vulnerable to opportunistic infections and usually require a bone marrow transplant to survive past infancy, as described by the case of David Vetter, also known as the 'boy in the bubble.' It's crucial to distinguish TEC from other blood disorders mentioned such as erythroblastosis fetalis, which occurs in an Rh-negative mother with an Rh-positive baby, and aplastic anemia, which involves a lack of red blood cell production due to damage to the bone marrow stem cells.

User Rahul Sonone
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