[Factitious anemia with severe iron deficiency caused by self-venesection]

Rinsho Ketsueki. 1998 Mar;39(3):216-20.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 22-year-old unmarried female student of nurse school was admitted to our hospital because of hypochromic anemia and fever of unknown origin. She was diagnosed as having iron-deficiency anemia and was treated with iron, but progressive anemia recurred periodically. In particular, rapidly progressive anemia was observed after the patient stayed overnight, so we strongly suspected factitious anemia. A search of her locker in the sickroom and her room at home revealed many syringes, injection needles and a bottle of blood. Factitious anemia was diagnosed and she confessed to self blood-drawing. After a psychiatric consultation, anemia tended to to resolve gradually. However she did not go to the hospital after 6 months from her discharge. Physicians should consider factitious anemia in a patient with severe chronic hypochromic anemia who dose not respond to adequate iron therapy, particularly in a patient with medical training.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Hypochromic / diagnosis*
  • Factitious Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Phlebotomy
  • Self-Injurious Behavior