Pyridoxine-Responsive Anemia

Abstract

HYPOCHROMIC, microcytic anemia combined with normal or elevated serum iron is a syndrome characteristically found in patients harboring the thalassemia gene. This syndrome is also encountered in some patients who for various reasons are unable to utilize their circulating iron for heme synthesis. In a few of these a specific deficiency of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) appears to be responsible for this defective synthesis.1 2 3 4 5 It has been known for many years that pyridoxine deficiency induced in laboratory animals may result in a reversible hypochromic, microcytic anemia with a high serum iron.6 That a human counterpart for this syndrome exists . . .