Patient: 10 years old boy
|
Source: Hong Kong, 1972
|
| Presenting features: |
| |
Sudden pallor and jaundice soon after finishing dinner at home. Muslim
family been observing Ramadan and been fasting till sun-down. Orange colored
rice was consumed at dinner besides other traditional-religious foods.
|
| Relevant Investigations: |
| |
Hemolytic jaundice with mild anemia ( low Hb ) |
| |
G6PD deficiency
|
| Progress: |
| |
Spontaneously recovered
|
| Lessons: |
| 1) |
Orange-colored food probably contained
aniline dye, which is well-known to precipitate acute hemolysis |
| 2) |
Fasting for long period probably produced
some metabolic acidosis which may enhance hemolysis also. |
| 3) |
Certain religious rites may have significant
child health implications. |