Gelatinous transformation of bone marrow from a starch-free diet

Gelatinous marrow transformation is characterized by marrow hypoplasia, fat atrophy, and gelatinous material deposition, and usually develops as a hem atologic complication of chronic wasting disorders. Most of the cases assoc iated with severe nutritional deficiency were seen in anorexia nervosa due to a depletion of protein or fat. This report describes a case of gelatinou s transformation attributed to a specific restriction of carbohydrates In d iet. The hematologic deficiency was eventually recovered after the patient resumed a regular starch-containing diet. This brief report illustrates the potential side effect of the compulsive dietary behavior on the hematologi c system. Am. J. Hematol. 68:58-59, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.