Severe nutritional iron deficiency and behaviour disorder in an infant

The case report describes a 9-month-old Indian child with severe iron deficiency and a haemoglobin of 3.1 g/dl (3.1 g per cent). The case illustrates certain behavioural problems (Pollitt & Leibel, 1976)- irritability, anorexia and vomiting - of infants with iron deficiency, which make them more iron-deficient and anaemic. Blood transfusion was used to break this vicious circle. The child was given oral iron supplements, her behaviour improved and the anaemia disappeared.