Niemann-Pick Disease Type B in a 21 Year Old Male

Niemann-pick disease is a group of autosomal recessive disorder of lipid storage with progressive accumulation of sphingomyelin and other lipids in the lysosomes of various tissues. We are reporting a 21 year old male who had hepatosplenomegaly, cherry red macula and normal cognitive function. Bone marrow biopsy showed plenty of foam cells and sphingomyelinase level was low, thus conforming our diagnosis. Survival into adulthood and absence of gross neurological involvement suggests Niemann-Pick disease type B.

Congenital sideroblastic anemia treated as thalassemia major

Sideroblastic anemia is a rare cause of microcytic hypochromic anemia. In Bangladesh, most common causes of microcytic anemia are iron deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic diseases and thalassemia. Serum ferritin is usually done to differentiate them. If serum ferritin is low, the diagnosis of iron deficiency is entertained. When serum ferritin is raised but erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are normal - anemia of chronic disease is excluded. The next investigation is Hb-electrophoresis. Normal Hb-electroporesis excludes thalassemia. Then bone marrow examination with iron stain is done for the diagnosis of sideroblastic anemia. Here we report a case of a 14 year old girl presenting with intermittent leg pain and anemia. Her blood flim showed microcytic hypochromic anemia with raised serum ferritin and normal Hb-electroporesis. Initially she was labeled as a case of unusual type of thalassemia and treated with blood transfusion. Finally bone marrow examination with iron stain was done and she was diagnosed as a case of congenital sideroblastic anemia. We reviewed the literature and discussed the management as well.