Cytopenia associated with iron deficiency anemia and iron therapy: A report of two cases.

A 7-year-old boy with pica presented with a diagnosis of leukemia. He did not have hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, or infection. Laboratory results were as follows: hemoglobin (Hb): 6.9 g/dL; mean corpuscular volume (MCV): 66 fL; red cell distribution width (RDW): 20.3%. Iron studies results were consistent with iron deficiency, as follows: serum iron: 13 μg/dL; total iron binding capacity: 416 μg/dL; ferritin level: 10 ng/mL. The patient’s white blood cell (WBC) count was 2.9×103/μL (1.5×103/μL neutrophils) and platelet count was 28×103/μL. Bone marrow aspiration showed a normal number of megakaryocytes, low-level stored iron, and no blasts. The patient was diagnosed as IDA. On d 5 of iron treatment the patient’s findings were as follows: Hb: 7.4 g/dL; MCV: 68 fL; RDW: 25.7%; WBC: 5.6×103/μL; platelet count: 430×103/μL.