Deferoxamine-enhanced fecal losses of aluminum and iron in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Aluminum-associated osteomalacia and transfusion-induced hemosiderosis developed in an anephric patient receiving long-term maintenance treatment with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Intravenous administration of 1.0 g of deferoxamine led to marked increases in the fecal elimination of aluminum and iron. Dialysate removal of these same metals also increased but to a lesser extent. This indicates that the biliary/fecal route of excretion may contribute significantly to deferoxamine-induced losses of aluminum and iron in patients undergoing continuous peritoneal dialysis.