Self-limited babesiosis in a splenectomized child

Abstract

This report describes a self-limited babesia infection in a splenectomized child with hereditary spherocytosis. This is the first report of infectious babesiosis in a child and the second case of babesiosis reported on Cape Cod. The infection manifested itself 6 weeks after a 4-hour exposure to Nantucket. Hemolysis lasted only 4 days and resolved without specific treatment. Parasitemia was documented after resolution of symptoms.