Late-onset Fanconi anemia in an African-Caribbean patient

J Natl Med Assoc. 2010 Feb;102(2):132-4. doi: 10.1016/s0027-9684(15)30501-0.

Abstract

A 38-year-old female of African-Caribbean origin presented with symptomatic anemia and was found to have hypoplastic thumbs and patchy hypopigmentation. Peripheral blood examination revealed pancytopenia and the bone marrow biopsy confirmed marrow hypoplasia. Fanconi anemia was later confirmed by flow cytometry and diepoxybutane testing. Treatment was limited to transfusions after development of toxicity with cyclosporine and androgen therapy. She manifested classical features of transfusion-related hemosiderosis and died 12 years after initial presentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Fanconi Anemia / diagnosis*
  • Fanconi Anemia / epidemiology
  • Fanconi Anemia / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iron Chelating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Jamaica
  • Thumb / abnormalities

Substances

  • Iron Chelating Agents