PATERSON-KELLY SYNDROME IN ADOLESCENCE: A REPORT OF FIVE CASES

Iron deficiency anemia and Plummer-Vinson syndrome: current insights

Plummer–Vinson syndrome (PVS), a rare clinical condition, is characterized by a triad of dysphagia, iron deficiency anemia and esophageal web in the post-cricoid region. It was first described over a century ago. However, literature on this condition remains scanty, and its prevalence appears to be declining worldwide, possibly due to improvements in nutrition over time. The condition has been reported most commonly in thin-built, middle-aged, white women. The esophageal webs in PVS are thin mucosal folds, which are best seen either in lateral views at barium swallow or at esophagoscopy. These are usually semilunar or crescentic, being located most often along the anterior esophageal wall, but can be concentric. The exact cause and pathogenesis of PVS remain unclear, though iron and other nutritional deficiencies, genetic predisposition and autoimmunity have all been implicated in formation of the webs. Treatment includes correction of iron deficiency and endoscopic dilation of the esophageal webs to relieve dysphagia. PVS is associated with an increased risk of hypopharyngeal and esophageal malignancies. Correction of iron deficiency may arrest and reverse the mucosal changes and possibly reduces this risk.

A case of Plummer-Vinson syndrome in childhood

The Plummer-Vinson syndrome is characterized by an association of dysphagia, iron-deficiency anemia, and esophageal webs. The authors report the case of a 6 year old with Plummer-Vinson syndrome. Plummer-Vinson syndrome usually occurs in adults, rarely in adolescents, however, there have been no previous reports in the English-language literature of the syndrome occurring in childhood.

Plummer-Vinson syndrome--a rare presentation in a child

Plummer-Vinson (Paterson, Brown-Kelly) syndrome refers to the association of iron-deficiency anaemia with dysphagia secondary to a post-cricoid web. Only seven cases of Plummer-Vinson syndrome in children and adolescents between the ages of 14 and 19 have been reported in the world literature. We report a case of the syndrome occurring in a child of 14 years and provide a short review of the present knowledge concerning the symptom complex.

Plummer-Vinson syndrome in an adolescent

We report an 18-year-old female found to have Plummer-Vinson syndrome on routine health evaluation. The nature of this condition, its relation to iron deficiency, and its potential for malignancy are discussed.

Iron deficiency and iron overload

An up to date review of our knowledge of human iron metabolism is given including problems of iron balance, internal transport, and intracellular mechanisms. Current knowledge of the iron proteins is summarized and this background is used in discussing the pathophysiology of iron deficiency and overload, together with the internal derangements such as sideroblastic anemia which form much of the clinical practice associated with disorders of iron metabolism. The therapeutic approach to these problems will be described.