Deaths from severe megaloblastic anaemia in hospitalised patients

In a series of 128 consecutive patients dying from severe megaloblastic anaemia, over half the deaths occurred within one week of hospitalisation and one third were sudden and unexpected. Congestive cardiac failure was extremely common in these patients and was often associated with pleural effusions. Just over half the patients were examined at autopsy and of these 42% had pleural effusions and 15% had pericardial effusions. The cause of the latter is unclear as is their clinical significance, nevertheless this condition has not previously been reported in the megaloblastic anaemias and may well play a part in the fatal outcome in such patients. Blood transfusion was administered to over half the patients, usually in the form of whole blood. It is recommended that transfusions be used sparingly, and consist of cells or preferably exchange transfusion, the latter being of particular value in the elderly or in those with pre-existing cardiac failure.