Pancytopenia due to Restrictive Food Intake in an Autistic Adult

Danielle Lowe MD, PhD; Christian Barrett MD; Chelsea Shepherd DO; Jane Charles MD; Benjamin Kalivas MD

doi:10.1177/23247096221139260

Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports (Nov 2022)

Pancytopenia due to Restrictive Food Intake in an Autistic Adult

Danielle Lowe MD, PhD,
Christian Barrett MD,
Chelsea Shepherd DO,
Jane Charles MD,
Benjamin Kalivas MD

Affiliations

Danielle Lowe MD, PhD: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
Christian Barrett MD: The University of Kansas, Kansas City, USA
Chelsea Shepherd DO: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
Jane Charles MD: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
Benjamin Kalivas MD: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096221139260
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuro-behavioral syndrome that develops in childhood and can be comorbid with restrictive and avoidant food intake disorder. This case details a young man who was hospitalized with pancytopenia due to restrictive nutritional intake related to his severe ASD. He was found to have undetectable vitamin B12 levels. His blood counts improved with transfusion, nutritional supplementation, and dental care. This report illustrates the importance of understanding ASD and potential medical complications of related behaviors.

Published in Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports

ISSN: 2324-7096 (Online)
Publisher: SAGE Publishing
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General); Medicine: Pathology
Website: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/hic

About the journal