Hereditary coproporphyria and epilepsy.

Aucte intermittent porphyria and epilepsy.

“…(4) The symptoms became much less when barbiturates and phenytoin were stopped and sodium valproate given alone at a dose of 70 mg/kg per day. We, therefore, believe that our case lends further support to the claim of Houston et al (1977) that there is a correlation between epilepsy and acute porphyria. In fact, the failure to diagnose AIP early and the unsuccessful anticonvulsive therapy probably hastened the acute crises which were attributed to AIP only in retrospect.…”

“…(1) The mental handicap in our patient was the same as that described in 3 of 5 othercases (Birchfield and Cowger, 1966;Houston et al, 1977). (2) There is a continuous need to adjust the treatment.…”

“…The epilepsy was equal in severity to the other cases (Birchfield and Cowger, 1966;Houston et al, 1977). (4) The symptoms became much less when barbiturates and phenytoin were stopped and sodium valproate given alone at a dose of 70 mg/kg per day.…”

“…In our opinion the age of the patient is of particular interest as is the association of AIP with epilepsy. The only 4 cases of hepatic metabolic disorder of porphyrins to have been fully described in infants associated with epilepsy are 3 of hereditary coproporphyria (Birchfield and Cowger, 1966;Haeger-Aronsen et al, 1968;Houston et al, 1977) and one of hepatic porphyria not better identified (Houston et al, 1977).Case report A 14-year-old boy (born 4.12.1963) was the second child in an otherwise apparently healthy family with two other children. However, when examined his 39-year-old mother was found to have latent AIP.…”

Acute intermittent porphyria, seizures, and antiepileptic drugs: a report on a 3-year-old Nigerian boy

“…During a crisis PBG my be found in the urine. In the present case the faeces were not examined for coproporphyrins, so this diagnosis remains a remote possibility 9 .…”