Porphyria Cutanea Tarda in an 8-Year-Old Boy

Abstract

An 8-year-old boy developed bullous cutaneous photosensitivity and increased uroporphyrin excretion. Investigation of the causes of porphyria revealed evidence of mild liver disease, with moderately increased hepatic iron stores. Clinical improvement followed phlebotomy. It is argued that this is an example of porphyria cutanea tarda occurring at an unusually early age.