Abstract

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a relatively rare condition in neonates, and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for the treatable conditions. Neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) is a rare clinical condition that is clinically defined as severe neonatal liver disease associated with hepatic and extrahepatic iron deposition in a distribution similar to that seen in hereditary hemochromatosis. Although a few cases have been reported with spontaneous remission, early and aggressive medical treatment is essential for improving the outcome. Despite aggressive treatment, some patients may require liver transplantation. We report a five-day-old male infant with NH and associated Duarte variant galactosemia, renal tubulopathy and hypertyrosinemia, who was successfully treated with combination medical treatment. Combination therapy may reduce the need for liver transplantation in infants with NH. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are important as in galactosemia or tyrosinemia for the outcome. Thus, NH may be listed as a treatable cause of ALF in neonates.

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How to cite

1.
Cakir M, Mutlu M, Aydin-Mungan S, Cansu A, Aslan Y, Erduran E. Neonatal hemochromatosis: a case report with unique presentation. Turk J Pediatr 2011; 53: 455-459.