Hemochromocytosis
Hereditary
hemochromatosis is an
autosomal recessive disorder that is the
most common form of iron overload and one of the
most common life-threatening genetic disorders. Homozygotes have inappropriately
enhanced absorption of iron that results in a progressive increase in iron
stores. Mutations in the HFE protein, whose gene is
closely linked to the HLA genes on chromosome 6,
are currently identified in 85% of patients who have the disease. The point
mutation at C282Y is most common; a defect at H63D is seen less frequently.
Only homozygotes are at risk for symptomatic iron overload,
but with a gene frequency of 5% to 7%, 0.25% to 0.5% of the population are
homozygotes. Clinically, decades are required for iron to
reach dangerous levels in tissues. Significant organ damage usually is noted in
middle age or later. Iron reaches dangerous levels in tissues in the fourth to
fifth decade of life.
As the major storage site of iron, the liver is the first
organ to be damaged in this disease. Mild-to-moderate
hepatomegaly develops first,
followed by shrinkage associated with fibrosis and cirrhosis. There is
relatively little inflammatory response, so abnormalities
in serum transaminases may be minor, even in the presence of significant
hepatic damage. Disturbances in hepatic function occur with advanced disease.
Cardiac iron deposition is very important.
Congestive cardiomyopathy
and sudden death due to arrhythmias are the
most common causes of death. Other
clinical complications include diabetes mellitus and both thyroid and pituitary
dysfunction. Hyperpigmentation is very
common. Arthropathy is common in hereditary
hemochromatosis, but rare in patients who have secondary iron overload.
The heterozygous state rarely is associated with clinical
problems. The critical genetic issue is that with a gene frequency of 5%
to 7%, the obligate heterozygote child of a parent
who has hereditary hemochromatosis has a 5% to 7% risk of
being affected. Accordingly, children of affected
adults should be tested. Because children may not manifest iron overload,
as measured by serum iron levels, transferrin saturation, and ferritin
concentrations, long-term follow-up frequently was required in the past. The
current ability to identify specific DNA defects in
most families should provide a much more accurate tool to identify children at
risk.
Nonhereditary forms of iron overload
exist but are much less frequent.
Thalassemia major and sickle cell
anemia are the most important disorders associated with acquired
hemosiderosis due to the long-term use
of transfusions. These transfusions deposit large amounts of iron, which
remain in the body because there is no effective mechanism
for active excretion of iron. Iron overload also can result from
dietary overload and is common in
sub-Saharan Africa. It occasionally results from repeated but unnecessary
parenteral
iron injections.
Neonatal iron overload syndrome
is a distinct familial disorder whose genetics are obscure. Most infants die of
massive iron deposition and multiorgan failure within days of birth. It
resembles hereditary hemochromatosis, but the mechanism involves
enhanced transport of iron across the placenta.
Gastrointestinal absorption is normal.
Perinatal iron overload
also rarely is associated with hereditary
tyrosinemia,
cerebrohepatorenal syndrome, and
perinatal
hemochromatosis.
References:
Andrews NC, Bridges KR. Disorders of iron metabolism and sideroblastic
anemia. In: Nathan DG, Orkin SH, Oski FA, Ginsburg D, eds. Nathan and
Oski's Hematology of Infancy and Childhood. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:
WB Saunders Co; 1998:442-448
Brittenham G. Disorders of iron metabolism: iron deficiency and
overload. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Shattil SJ, et al, eds.
Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. New York, NY:
Churchill Livingstone; 2000:418-425