Vitamin B12 Malabsorption and Pseudo-Thrombotic Microangiopathy in an
Adolescent.
Abstract
Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are a group of rare disorders that
can be considered life threatening. The hallmark of this disease is a
microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with an associated thrombocytopenia
which could be congenital or acquired. Acquired vitamin B12 deficiency
is overlooked in developed countries but can mimic a TMA. We report the
case of 17-year-old male with malabsorption of vitamin B12 with
development of pseudo-TMA. When faced with a clinical presentation of a
TMA in a child or an adolescent patient, physicians must be aware of the
possibility of vitamin B12 deficiency especially in patients at risk for
malabsorption.