[Neonatal hemochromatosis]

Abstract

Neonatal hemochromatosis is characterized by abnormal hepatic and extrahepatic iron overload, which spares the reticuloendothelial system. In neonates, hemochromatosis results in an acute and frequently lethal liver failure.

Case reports: We report five cases of neonatal hemochromatosis which demonstrate various aspects of this disorder and underline the complexity of both the diagnosis and treatment. Case 3 had an extremely low arterial pressure, a presentation not yet described.

Conclusion: Neonatal hemochromatosis should be suspected in the presence of cholestasis with liver failure of perinatal onset and with high blood level ferritin. Abdominal nuclear magnetic resonance and/or liver biopsy can confirm neonatal hemochromatosis. For one of our patients, a medical treatment allowed us to perform a liver transplantation.