Copper deficiency-induced anemia and neutropenia secondary to intestinal malabsorption

A patient with a history of partial gastrectomy presented with severe anemia, neutropenia, intestinal malabsorption, and was found to be severely copper-deficient. The anemia and neutropenia corrected promptly with the administration of intravenous cupric chloride. This case suggests that partial gastrectomy with or without intestinal malabsorption can result in copper deficiency and should be considered in differential diagnosis of severe anemia and neutropenia.