[Haemolytic anaemia and a clotting disorder as first signs of cystic fibrosis in two infants].

2 infants, a boy aged 8 weeks and a girl aged 5 months, presented with symptoms of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies. The first infant had frequently voluminous bowel movements, anaemia and was not thriving; he had anaemia due to vitamin-E deficiency. The second infant had multiple haematomas on the trunk and legs due to a vitamin-K deficiency-related clotting disorder. The sweat test was positive in both cases, confirming the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. The infants were treated with supplementary pancreatic enzymes and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Cystic fibrosis rarely presents with symptoms of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency. However, in cases of unexplained haemolytic anaemia or haemorrhagic disorder due to vitamin E or K deficiencies, respectively, cystic fibrosis should be considered as a possible cause.