Studies on clinical, haematological aspects and pathological changes of gastric mucosa in geophagia.

1) Geophagia characterized by, severe, anaemia, dwarfism, hypogonadism and hepatosplenomegaly is sometimes seen in young patients (and children) in Iran. 2) Haematological aspects of the syndrome are those of, severe, iron deficiency anaemia. 3) Gastric biopsies and histological findings revealed superficial or atrophic gastritis showing some resemblance to those seen in pernicious anaemia. 4) Haematological features, anaemia and many of the clinical signs of the syndrome were improved after appropriate iron therapy. 5) Histological changes of gastric mucosa improved, in 5 patients, 6 months after correction of the anaemia.