Ferrokinetic Studies in Patients with Geophagia, Growith Retardation Hypogonadism, Hepatosplenomegaly Iron Deficiency Anemia and Zinc Deficiency

Ferrokinetic investigations were performed in ten patients with prolonged Geophagia. Plasma Iron Clearance (T ½) was increased. Plasma Iron Transport Rate (PIT) was decreased in five. Red Cell Iron Utilization (RCU %) was decreased in six, while it was normal in three cases. Erythrocyte Iron Turnover Rate (EIT) was found to be decreased in five, normal in one and increased in three cases. Erythrocyte Survival Time (EST) was found to be shortened in all cases except one. The radioiron distribution obtained by surface counting over sacrum (marrow), spleen and liver was performed in three cases. The surface countings over spleen showed that red cell sequestration increased in two cases. Ferrokinetic data indicated that erythropoiesis was disturbed in children with geophagia.