Methodology: The clinical course of a child with neonatal haemochromat
osis associated with Down syndrome is described, using case notes and
post-modem examination. Results: The patient died of liver failure on
day 36. Post-mortem examination showed siderosis of liver, pancreas, h
eart, kidney and thyroid. Conclusions: Neonatal haemochromatosis is a
rare paediatric disease, the aetiology of which is unknown. Evidence s
uggests a disorder of fetoplacental iron handling with implications fo
r recurrence in future pregnancies.