A case of acute intermittent porphyria

Mymensingh Med J. 2015 Apr;24(2):420-3.

Abstract

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary metabolic disorder having protean manifestations. The clinical presentations of abdominal pain, peripheral neuropathy and changes in mental status are the classic triad of an acute attack. A 15-year old girl was admitted in the medicine department of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College with the complaints of recurrent abdominal pain, convulsions and weakness of lower limbs. She presented with a combination of medical and neuropsychiatric symptoms suggestive of a case of AIP. The clinical presentation and the presence of porphyrins in urine confirmed the diagnosis of AIP. AIP can be life-threatening, so an accurate diagnosis and proper management are highly important.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain
  • Adolescent
  • Bangladesh
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Porphyria, Acute Intermittent*
  • Seizures