Haemolytic anaemia and acute liver failure--the initial manifestations of Wilson's disease

Bratisl Lek Listy. 2008;109(10):434-7.

Abstract

We describe a case of a 16-year-old girl with Wilson disease, which was initially presented as Coombs-negative haemolytic anaemia and acute liver failure. The diagnosis was based on the findings of low ceruloplasmin serum level and high copper levels both in serum and 24-hour urinary excretion. The patient underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. A DNA-based diagnostic tool confirmed Wilson's disease: the patient was p.H1069Q homozygote. Based on further molecular-genetic examinations in the family, Wilson disease was diagnosed seven days later in one of the patient's asymptomatic brothers. The proband's cousin was confirmed as a carrier of the p.H1069Q mutation (Fig. 1, Ref. 24).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / etiology*
  • Female
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / complications
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / diagnosis*
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / surgery
  • Humans
  • Liver Failure, Acute / etiology*
  • Liver Transplantation