Night blindness due to vitamin A deficiency associated with copper deficiency myelopathy secondary to bowel bypass surgery.
We present an interesting case of combined vitamin A and copper deficiency after a history of gastric bypass surgery where symptoms improved after parenteral copper and vitamin A treatment. Gastric bypass surgery as a cause of fat soluble vitamin deficiency is generally under-reported. Copper deficiency has been reported after gastric bypass surgery. Vitamin A deficiency after gastric bypass surgery has also been reported in the literature, but the reported cases again fall below the actual figures. B12 and folate deficiencies can produce a type of myelopathy similar to that produced by copper deficiency, and differentiation on the basis of laboratory tests, neurophysiology and improvement of symptoms after replacement therapy might be the hallmark of diagnosis. Combinations of vitamin deficiencies were previously reported, but no cases of combined vitamin A and copper deficiency could be found in the literature.
Department of Neuroscience, East Kent Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Canterbury, UK.
Ali Abdul Jabbar
AA
AlHassany
D000328:Adult; D003300:Copper / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D009755:Night Blindness / Q000209:etiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D003300:Copper