Secondary Erythrocytosis Presenting as Persistent Hiccup in a Child With Cyanotic Heart Disease

An increase in red blood cells production as a result of serum erythropetin release characterizes secondary erythrocytosis, a condition consequent to tissue hypoxia in cyanotic heart disease (Rose SS et al., J Gen Intern Med 2007; 22: 1775–1777, Thorne SA., Heart 1998; 79: 315–316). Higher blood viscosity may have negative consequences referred as hyperviscosity symptoms. Hyperviscosity can manifest in a variety of ways including mild neurologic symptoms including headache, loss of cognitive function, loss of vision, paresthesia, and fatigue or serious conditions like thrombosis-related cerebrovascular events and myocardial infarction (Rose SS et al., J Gen Intern Med 2007; 22: 1775–1777, Thorne SA., Heart 1998; 79: 315–316). Herein, we describe a child with secondary polycythemia who experiences persistent hiccups. To the best of our knowledge, persistent hiccups have not yet been documented in symptomatic polycythemia.

Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023