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[Severe sideropenic anemia in a young middle-distance runner]
A Guala1, V Giorcelli, G Gallo
1Divisione di Pediatria e Centro Immaturi, Ospedale, S. Andrea, Vercelli.
Minerva Pediatrica
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Young athletes may develop iron deficiency anemia due to intense training. This case highlights the need for early detection and iron supplementation in adolescent runners to prevent performance decline.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pediatric Hematology
Background:
- Iron deficiency anemia is increasingly reported in adult endurance athletes.
- The causes of anemia in young athletes are not fully understood.
Observation:
- A 16-year-old competitive middle-distance runner presented with progressive weakness and reduced athletic performance.
- Clinical examination revealed pallor; laboratory tests showed severe iron deficiency (serum ferritin 4 ng/ml) despite a balanced diet and normal menses.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, confirmed by low hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ferritin levels.
- Symptoms resolved completely with oral iron treatment, normalizing blood parameters.
Implications:
- This case underscores the risk of iron deficiency anemia in adolescent athletes.
- Awareness can prompt preventive screening and timely intervention, potentially avoiding invasive diagnostic procedures.