Blood, 1955, Vol. 10, No. 8, pp. 771-787.
© 1955 American Society of Hematology, Inc.
Megaloblastic Anemia Associated with Anatomic Lesions
in the Small Intestine
R. B. THOMPSON 1 and
C. C. UNGLEY 1
1 Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle on Tyne, England.
This paper describes the development of anemia in six patients with strictures
and anastomoses in the small intestine. The marrow proved to be megaloblastic
in three instances, and megaloblastic change is presumed in the other three
because of the clinical and laboratory findings, and the characteristic hemopoietic
response to liver therapy. Responses to crude and refined liver extracts and
vitamin B12 compared unfavorably with those to be expected in Addisonian
pernicious anemia; they were similar to the poorer responses often observed in
megaloblastic anemia associated with idiopathic steatorrhea. The relationship
of the intestinal lesion to the development of megaloblastic anemia is briefly
discussed.
Submitted on September 23, 1953
Accepted on November 3, 1953
