vitamin-b-12 and Vitamin-K-Deficiency

The case of a young woman from Guadeloupe developing severe megaloblastic anemia is reported. She presented with fever and hemolysis (she had heterozygotic beta-thalassemia) after a six month history of diarrhea. She was shown to have folate deficiency, steatorrhea, vitamin K and B12 malabsorption. She responded well to intravenous folinic acid and tetracyclines. Diagnosis was based on the following criteria: a) no other cause of malabsorption was found despite a comprehensive inquiry, b) the pattern of the illness corresponded to the definition of disease. Three particular aspects are outlined: the acute onset, malabsorption of vitamin B12 requiring prolonged and combined treatment, and the unusual place in which the disease was contracted.

Topics: Adult; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Sprue, Tropical; Tetracycline; Thalassemia; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin K Deficiency; West Indies

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Avitaminosis; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Pyridoxine; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency; Vitamin K; Vitamin K Deficiency; Vitamins