title: Severe iron deficiency anemia and gastrointestinal dysfunction associated with ingestion of pan masala.
abstract: A severe iron deficiency state and problematic upper gastrointestinal irritation developed in an adult female who ingested pan masala that included fennel seed and betel nut. This illness illustrates the potential complexity of clinical presentation when mixtures of herbal contents are ingested. Clinical history-taking should routinely consider the potential importance of traditional customs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Canada. ncimolai@interchange.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Nevio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cimolai
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cimolai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D001114:Areca / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D030001:Foeniculum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D012639:Seeds; D041742:Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*