Pediatric Venous Sinus Thrombosis Secondary to Cow's Milk-Induced Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia is a well-established but underrecognized risk factor for venous sinus thrombosis in both pediatric and adult populations. In young children, excessive cow's milk consumption is a leading cause of dietary iron deficiency due to its low iron content and interference with iron absorption. We present a case of a 24-month-old male who developed extensive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis due to severe iron-deficiency anemia, arising from excessive cow's milk intake and recent infection despite adequate complementary feeding. This case underscores the importance of early nutritional counseling, appropriate iron supplementation, and heightened clinical awareness of modifiable dietary risk factors in stroke prevention. Given the life-threatening nature of this complication and the frequency of excessive cow's milk intake in toddlers, our report highlights a critical and preventable etiology of pediatric stroke.