title: Red cell pyruvate kinase deficiency: adverse effect of oral contraceptives.
abstract: Erythrocyte enzymopathies are being detected with increasing frequency. The homozygous state for pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency usually causes chronic non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia. Aggravation of the condition by a variety of extrinsic factors has been reported, but drugs have rarely been incriminated. A case of severe PK deficiency is presented in which an anovulant drug upsets the usual haematologic balance. This strengthens the suspicion that contraceptive pills may be hazardous in such patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000746:Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital Nonspherocytic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008656:Mestranol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D008656:Mestranol; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase; D009640:Norethindrone