Iron-deficiency anaemia in childhood: a risk factor for severe venous thrombosis?

Paediatr Int Child Health. 2022 Feb;42(1):36-40. doi: 10.1080/20469047.2021.1923301. Epub 2021 May 18.

Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia is a common disorder in the paediatric age-group. The association between iron deficiency and venous thrombosis in children without an underlying illness is rare. Two cases are described. A 17-year-old girl had been taking oestrogen-progestogen therapy for contraception for about 2 years and developed a lower-limb deep vein thrombosis associated with pulmonary embolism. A 3-year-old girl was admitted to the paediatric emergency department with pallor, weakness and vomiting, and a cerebral CT showed a recent cerebral venous thrombosis. Both cases had severe iron-deficiency anaemia which increases a thrombotic tendency and could be a further crucial trigger of venous thrombosis in patients at low risk; therefore, in cases of unexplained thrombosis, it must always be considered to be a risk factor.Abbreviations APCR: activated protein C resistance; CMV: cytomegalovirus; CT: computerised tomography; CVST: cerebral venous sinus thrombosis; CVT: cerebral venous thrombosis; DVT: deep vein thrombosis; DOACs: direct oral anticoagulants; EBV: Epstein-Barr virus; ID: iron deficiency; IDA: iron deficiency anaemia; LMWH: low molecular weight heparin; PE: pulmonary embolism; RDW: red blood cell distribution width; VT: venous thrombosis.

Keywords: Anaemia; iron-deficiency; venous thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* / chemically induced
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* / complications
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections* / complications
  • Female
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / adverse effects
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Thrombosis* / chemically induced
  • Intracranial Thrombosis* / complications
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / chemically induced
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / complications
  • Risk Factors
  • Venous Thrombosis* / complications
  • Venous Thrombosis* / therapy

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight