Malabsorption of iron secondary to iron deficiency.

Abstract

Intestinal absorption of 59Fe-labeled hemoglobin was measured in children with severe dietary iron deficiency and in iron-replete controls. Absorption was impaired in all the iron-deficient children and returned to normal after iron repletion. Studies of hemoglobin iron and inorganic iron were also performed in newly weaned dogs on an iron-deficient diet. A striking biphasic response was noted. Absorption of both forms of iron was initially increased over the control animals, reaching a maximum value at five months of age. Thereafter, there was a fall in absorption of both forms despite increasing severity of iron deficiency. Decreased levels of cytochrome oxidase and lactase were noted in the mucosa of the iron-deficient dogs. A decrease in iron-containing or iron-dependent enzymes in the mucosa of iron-deficient subjects may be responsible for a secondary malabsorption phenomenon.