A rare case of pancytopenia in a child with cystic fibrosis: Can copper
cure it all?
Abstract
Nutritional deficiencies such as iron, vitamin B12 and folate are
recognized as etiologies for several cytopenias; although copper’s role
in multiple metabolic enzymes is well-established, copper deficiency is
often overlooked as a contributing entity. Frequently diagnosis is
delayed, patients may undergo bone marrow investigations with findings
overlapping a myelodysplastic process, which can lead to further testing
and treatment considerations including hematopoietic stem cell
transplant referral. We present a case of a young boy with cystic
fibrosis with biliary dysplasia corrected with hepato-portoenterostomy
and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome resulting in jejunal
resection, with severe anemia and thrombocytopenia requiring transfusion
support. Initial evaluation had been unremarkable, ongoing pancytopenia
prompted bone marrow studies, which revealed vacuolated granulocytic and
erythroid precursors and ring sideroblasts, suggestive of copper
deficiency. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin were consistent with severe
deficiency, attributed to insufficient absorption intestinal resection,
chronic parenteral nutrition and prior zinc supplementation. Following
enteral copper supplementation, anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia
significantly improved, however upon cessation, counts again worsened
and has since been maintained on daily copper supplementation without
further transfusion needs. Our experience exemplifies the importance of
early consideration for copper deficiency in children with cytopenias,
especially within context of intestinal malabsorption or inadequate
nutritional intake which often occurs in children with cystic fibrosis.