Author/Authors :
Wittekind, Samuel G. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center - Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH, USA , Martinez, Hugo R. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center - Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH, USA , Villa, Chet Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center - Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH, USA , Bacon, Matthew Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center - Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH, USA , Hammill, Adrienne M. Department of Pediatrics - University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA , Lorts, Angela Department of Pediatrics - University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Abstract :
Iron deficiency anemia has been associated with a secondary and potentially reversible cardiomyopathy. The pathophysiologic
paradigm has been that the hematologic disease begets cardiac dysfunction. There may be, however, a point at which myocardial
injury is irreversible in susceptible individuals. We present the case of a 4-year-old, developmentally normal, child who
presented with iron deficiency anemia and a dilated cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure. Despite appropriate
correction of the anemia, the patient developed decompensated heart failure requiring milrinone therapy and eventual heart
transplantation. This report will alert clinicians to the potential for irreversible adverse cardiac remodeling and the importance
of close pediatric cardiology consultation and serial assessment in order to implement appropriate heart failure therapy
