Hypervitaminosis A causing benign intracranial hypertension. A case report.
Hypervitaminosis A is a well-recognized clinical entity, but the toxic manifestations develop so insidiously and involve so many systems that diagnosis can easily be missed or delayed. A patient with juvenile chronic arthritis developed benign intracranial hypertension and other manifestations of excessive vitamin A intake and made a complete recovery after it was withdrawn. Vitamin A is a non-prescription drug and any history of its ingestion must be obtained during evaluation of papilloedema. A plea is made for the public to be repeatedly reminded that no proposed remedy is safe or effective until it is demonstrated to be so.
Bhettay
E M
EM
Rheumatic Diseases Unit, Princess Alice Orthopaedic Hospital, University of Cape Town.
Bakst
C M
CM
D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D006986:Hypervitaminosis A / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009974:Orthomolecular Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011559:Pseudotumor Cerebri / Q000209:etiology*