Modern Medicine (Mar 2023)

Acute Hepatic Porphyria – Minireview

  • Aida SAVU,
  • Andrei EDU,
  • Lucian NEGREANU

DOI
https://doi.org/10.31689/rmm.2023.30.1.13
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 1
pp. 13 – 16

Abstract

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Acute Hepatic Porphyria (AHP) is an uncommon and hereditary illness that belongs to a group of disorders known as porphyries. This condition results from a deficiency of the porphobilinogen deaminase enzyme, which plays a role in heme production, a crucial component of haemoglobin in the bloodstream. This deficiency leads to the accumulation of substances called porphyrins in the body, which can trigger the appearance of severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms. In the following, we will discuss classifications - with a focus on the similarities and differences between subtypes of porphyria, the pathophysiology of acute hepatic porphyria, risk factors – and their influence on the onset of the disease, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management – both curative and symptomatic, all of which play a very important role in understanding this rare condition.

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