Too Much of a Good Thing? Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis Due to Excessive Milk Intake Associated Anemia

Introduction: In young children, excessive cow's milk intake causes iron-deficiency anemia, which is associated with hypercoagulable states. We present a case series of 4 toddlers with excessive milk intake iron-deficiency anemia and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 4 patients was performed for patients with cerebral sinovenous thrombosis and iron-deficiency anemia secondary to excessive milk intake. Iron-deficiency anemia was defined as hemoglobin <11 mg/dL, mean corpuscular volume <70 fL, and serum ferritin 24 oz daily. Clinical, laboratory, and radiographic features were reviewed. Results: Age ranged from 12 to 24 months. Average hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and ferritin levels were 6.1 g/dL, 22.7 g/dL, 52.7 fL, and 3.2 ng/mL, respectively. Daily milk consumption ranged from 40 to 60 oz. All patients presented with focal neurologic deficits, including seizures in 3. The location of cerebral sinovenous thrombosis varied, and 3 patients had venous infarcts, one of them hemorrhagic. All patients had a limited diet and were described as "picky eaters" by their parents, and only 1 had transitioned of a bottle. All patients were treated with anticoagulation, iron supplementation, and extensive dietary counseling to reduce cow's milk intake. Conclusion: Iron-deficiency anemia due to excessive milk intake is an important and preventable etiology of pediatric cerebral sinovenous thrombosis. Focused anticipatory guidance is necessary for at-risk groups to prevent this neurologic emergency.