Recognizing the unusual findings: Cases of desiderosmia

Abstract

Key Clinical Message Iron deficiency anemia may cause a desire to smell. This has not been well defined by clinicians. In the cases we present, we have shown that there may be a desire to smell in iron deficiency anemia. We wanted to attract the attention of clinicians.

Desiderosmia: a manifestation of iron deficiency in pregnancy

“…Desiderosmia in this case report is unlikely to lead to poor outcomes as household products are generally benign; however, if the craving was for a noxious scent, it could cause more harm. Previously reported cases of desiderosmia include a case of craving the scent of exhaust fumes, resulting in the commencement of smoking cigarettes to satisfy the craving 2. Currently, there is no verified measured index to severity of this symptom in relation to severity of iron deficiency; however, the additional altered olfactory function may decrease appetite and affect nutrition, further highlighting the importance of recognising the symptom 21.…”

“…Desiderosmia is defined as the excessive desire to smell certain odours without the need to eat, taste or lick, and is associated with iron deficiency anaemia 1 2. Few cases have been recorded in medical literature, describing the symptom as an excessive desire to smell a specific scent that improves after iron supplementation.…”

“…Most self-reported cases in online forums and medical literature describe the craving for smells as a benign and embarrassing phenomenon in pregnancy 1. This symptom has been investigated in comparison with the consumption of non-nutritive substances, pica 2. Pica, however, is a distinctively separate behaviour involving repeated eating or desire to eat substances not fit as food, and olfactory desires are not considered to be pica behaviour 2.…”

“…This symptom has been investigated in comparison with the consumption of non-nutritive substances, pica 2. Pica, however, is a distinctively separate behaviour involving repeated eating or desire to eat substances not fit as food, and olfactory desires are not considered to be pica behaviour 2. The prevalence of pica is higher in pregnant women and in young children, with common non-foods such as dirt, clay, soap, ice and others 3 4.…”

The Association Between Pica and Iron-Deficiency Anemia: A Scoping Review

“…In a case study by Acik, different cases of patients with desiderosmia (desire to smell certain odors) that developed with iron deficiency were presented. All three cases were treated with iron supplementation [ 13 ]. Another neurological manifestation included a patient with restless leg syndrome and IDA with a desire to consume excess tofu [ 14 ].…”