title: [Recurrent flaccid paralysis indicative of acute intermittent porphyria in a child].
abstract: Porphyrias are inherited metabolic diseases characterized by accumulation and increased excretion of porphyrins due to enzyme deficiencies involved in the biosynthesis of heme. Porphyrias are monogenic autosomal and mostly dominant disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 10-year-old boy was diagnosed with acute intermittent porphyria on the basis of recurrent flaccid paralysis with red urine. Confirmation was obtained by measurement of urinary porphyrin precursors and chromatography of porphyrins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute intermittent porphyria is a severe form of hereditary porphyria with severe neurological complications during an acute episode. Specific investigations should be performed early and urgently in the presence of suggestive signs in a child.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital d'Enfants de Rabat, Maroc. asmaa.dibi@voila.fr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dibi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aitouamar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bentahila
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000209:etiology*; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D017118:Porphyria, Acute Intermittent / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000652:urine; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000652:urine; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D011166:Porphyrins