Abnormal splenic uptake of red cells in long-lasting iron deficiency anemia due to self-induced bleeding (factitious anemia).
The authors report on six cases of chronic iron deficiency anemia in which a diagnosis of factitious anemia was made. Erythrokinetic studies demonstrated iron deficiency and blood loss. Besides these features, two kinetic abnormalities are described: precocious splenic sequestration of red cells and excess hemolysis. This hemolytic syndrome seems to be correlated to the duration of anemia rather than to its severity.
D000328:Adult; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000378:metabolism*; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D012652:Self Mutilation; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors