title: A ghost covered in lice: a case of severe blood loss with long-standing heavy pediculosis capitis infestation.
abstract: An 11-year-old child presented with poor school attendance, and signs and symptoms of severe anaemia. He was heavily covered in lice. He was investigated for other causes of anaemia. Following treatment for head lice and also iron supplementation, he was back in full-time education. This case highlights the link between head lice (pediculosis capitis) infestation and iron-deficiency anaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Conquest Hospital, East Sussex, UK.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hau
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Conquest Hospital, East Sussex, UK.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muhi-Iddin
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D010374:Pediculus; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D019266:Iron, Dietary