Anemia following zinc treatment for Wilson’s disease: a case report and literature review
Abstract Background Zinc therapy is considered an effective and safe treatment for Wilson’s disease. Hypocupremia-related anemia is rarely reported after long-term zinc administration or combination therapy with copper-chelating agent. Case presentation We herein report a 12-year-old girl with pre-s...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2019-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Gastroenterology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12876-019-1038-5 |
| Summary: | Abstract Background Zinc therapy is considered an effective and safe treatment for Wilson’s disease. Hypocupremia-related anemia is rarely reported after long-term zinc administration or combination therapy with copper-chelating agent. Case presentation We herein report a 12-year-old girl with pre-symptomatic Wilson’s disease diagnosed 5 years ago who presented with severe anemia after high-dose oral zinc for 4 years and 4 months. Her hemoglobin was gradually restored to the normal range after the adjustment of zinc dose and diet therapy for 4 months. A review of the literature revealed eight patients with hypocupremia-associated anemia following zinc therapy for Wilson’s disease, including 7 adults and 1 child. The only child patient was a 16-year-old boy, in whom the zinc therapy was succession to penicillamine administration. Conclusions This is the first report worldwide that a child developed severe anemia following high-dose single zinc administration for Wilson’s disease. It highlights the importance of regular follow-up during zinc treatment and the involvement of specialists in the long-term management of Wilson’s disease. We hope that this will alert pediatricians the issue of zinc over-treatment. |
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| ISSN: | 1471-230X |