Haemosiderosis (plural: haemosideroses) is a general term referring to the accumulation of haemosiderin, which particularly occurs in the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and does not cause organ damage.
Pathology
Some causes include:
- frequent transfusions
- mainly depositional siderosis in reticuloendothelial system (RES)
- if >40 units transfused: then may cause haemochromatosis (non-RES iron deposition)
- high erythrogenic requirements (haemolytic anaemia, myelodysplasia)
- mainly depositional siderosis in RES from transfusion
- increased duodenal iron absorption may lead to haemochromatosis (non-RES iron deposition)
- bantu siderosis: rare cause in Africa due to iron-laden locally brewed beer