A case of pain in porphyria.

This is a case of a twelve-year-old, male, who presented with burning and tingling sensation after exposure to sunlight, associated with epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, jaundice and constipation. The patient was subsequently diagnosed to have Erythropoietic Porphyria by determining the presence of erythrocyte protoporphyrins. Anemia, hepatomegaly, gallbladder stasis and elevated liver and pancreatic enzymes were also present. Patient was successfully managed with morphine, beta-carotene, chenodeoxycholic acid and lysophilized heme and also advised to avoid sun exposure. (Author)