Blood loss in chronic schistosoma mansoni infection in egyptian farmers

The mean daily blood and iron losses in 7 patients with proved bilharzial colonic and rectal polypi were measured by the 51Cr-tagged red cell technique. The daily blood loss ranged from 7·5 to 25·9 ml. (mean 12·5 ml.) and the daily iron loss ranged from 0·6 to 6·7 mg. (mean 3·3 mg.). Surgical removal of a large polyp in one patient resulted in cessation of blood loss. In spite of continued blood loss, 3 patients with severe iron deficiency anaemia responded rapidly, clinically and haematogically, to oral iron treatment.