[Imerslund-Najman-Grasbeck anemia. Apropos of a case].

Abstract

Imerslund-Najman-Grasbeck disease is a rare inherited megaloblastic anaemia secondary to a selective malabsorption of vitamin B12 by ileal enterocytes. The authors report on a 4 year-old tunisian girl who presented as visceral infantile leishmaniasis because of huge splenomegaly and major anaemia. The diagnosis of Imerslund disease was performed on the basis of the association of typical megaloblastic cells in the marrow, permanent proteinuria and favourable outcome under parenteral B12 administration. In addition, ther were no folate deficiency, no anti-intrinsic factor antibodies and no intrinsic factor deficiency. The outcome of the disease is always favourable if parenteral administration of vitamin B12 maintained.