Manifestations of Copper Deficiency in a Patient with Systemic Sclerosis on Intravenous Hyperalimentation

Abstract

COPPER deficiency is very rare in human beings. In 1931, Josephs suggested that it might account for iron-resistant anemia in milk-fed infants.1 It has been reported in a thriving premature infant,2 in severely malnourished infants with chronic diarrhea,3 , 4 and in several children5 and two adult patients6 whose nutrition was dependent on intravenous hyperalimentation. Anemia, leukopenia and neutropenia have been noted in all groups. Severe demineralization of bone was described in the infants. There are reports of infants with anemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoferremia and hypocupremia, possibly of dietary origin7 , 8 or caused by protein-losing enteropathy, abnormal loss of ceruloplasmin and impaired copper retention. . . .