[Haemolytic anaemia and a clotting disorder as first signs of cystic fibrosis in two infants].
2 infants, a boy aged 8 weeks and a girl aged 5 months, presented with symptoms of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies. The first infant had frequently voluminous bowel movements, anaemia and was not thriving; he had anaemia due to vitamin-E deficiency. The second infant had multiple haematomas on the trunk and legs due to a vitamin-K deficiency-related clotting disorder. The sweat test was positive in both cases, confirming the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. The infants were treated with supplementary pancreatic enzymes and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Cystic fibrosis rarely presents with symptoms of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency. However, in cases of unexplained haemolytic anaemia or haemorrhagic disorder due to vitamin E or K deficiencies, respectively, cystic fibrosis should be considered as a possible cause.
ter Avest
P C
PC
Medisch Centrum Alkmaar, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Postbus 501, 1800 AM Alkmaar. p.c.ter.avest@mca.nl
Tytgat
G A M
GA
Westra
M
M
Peters
M
M
van den Berg
M
M
D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000209:etiology; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014813:Vitamin K Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014815:Vitamins