Successful Treatment of Gastrointestinal Polyposis-Related Iron Deficiency Anemia and Hypoalbuminemia with Sirolimus in Bannayan–Riley–Ruvalcaba Syndrome
10.15264/cpho.2026.33.1.51
- Author:
Sumin YOO
1
;
Ho Jung CHOI
;
In Hyuk YOO
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:CASE REPORT
- From:Clinical Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
2026;33(1):51-56
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Refractory iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children should be investigated beyond dietary deficiency, particularly when accompanied by growth faltering or hypoalbuminemia. PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, which includes the Bannayan–Riley– Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS) spectrum, may cause diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis, resulting in chronic occult blood and protein loss. We report the case of a girl born in 2015 who presented at the age of two years with severe IDA (hemoglobin 5.0 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume 53.6 fL). Oral iron therapy was initiated, followed by intermittent intravenous iron infusions at progressively shorter intervals; however, the anemia recurred. Stool occult blood and fecal calprotectin test results were consistently negative during this period. Endoscopy and capsule endoscopy revealed diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis, including numerous small bowel polyps with ulcerative features. Genetic analysis revealed a heterozygous pathogenic variant in PTEN, NM_000314.8:c.389G＞A (p.Arg130Gln). Despite endoscopic polypectomy and oral nutritional supplementation, IDA, hypoalbuminemia (albumin, 2.5-3.2 g/dL), and growth faltering persisted. Extraintestinal findings included macrocephaly, lipomatous masses, a subcutaneous hamartoma, and brain magnetic resonance imaging findings consistent with BRRS. Sirolimus therapy was initiated in September 2025, targeting a trough level of 6-10 ng/mL. By 6 months, hemoglobin stabilized at 12.9 g/dL, albumin normalized to 4.4 g/dL, weight increased by 5.1 kg, body mass index improved from below the 3rd percentile to the 10th percentile, and intravenous iron was no longer required. This case suggests that sirolimus may be beneficial in the treatment of diffuse PTEN-related gastrointestinal polyposis when endoscopic management is insufficient.
