Cure8 research brief
An unusual craving to smell non-food substances (desiderosmia) can be a clue to severe iron deficiency anaemia and may point to undiagnosed inflammatory bowel disease in adolescents. Recognising this sign could speed diagnosis and prevent toxic inhalant exposure.
Pediatric patients and their parents/caregivers, clinicians (pediatricians, gastroenterologists), and newly diagnosed IBD patients interested in atypical symptom presentations.
A 15-year-old boy presented with a year-long compulsive inhalation of petrol/kerosene and mild exertional fatigue. Blood tests showed severe iron deficiency anaemia; inflammatory markers were raised and faecal lactoferrin was positive. Flexible sigmoidoscopy showed Mayo grade 2 ulcerative colitis.
Treatment included mesalazine, corticosteroids and iron supplementation; the smelling craving resolved within weeks of therapy. The report suggests clinicians and caregivers should consider iron deficiency and underlying bowel disease when patients—particularly adolescents—describe new compulsive non-food smelling cravings.
Early recognition can prompt investigation and avoid harms from inhalant exposure.
This classification and note are based on the article abstract (case report) available from Research Square. Case reports describe individual patients and do not provide prevalence or causal proof; the abstract indicates clinical improvement after treatment but does not substitute for larger studies.
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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