© 2004 The International Society of Dermatology International Journal of Dermatology 2004, 43, 173–175
173
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most commonly recognized disorder of lipoprotein
metabolism in childhood. We report a case of FH in a 5-year-old boy with onset of jaundice since
birth, and multiple planar, tuberous, palmar and intertrigenous xanthomas covering the trunk
and limbs. His total cholesterol was 590 mg / dl and triglycerides were 171 mg / dl.
Echocardiography revealed mild aortic stenosis as a result of premature atherosclerosis. He
was diagnosed with homozygous FH, and is reported here because of the interesting clinical
features.
Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Oxford, UK IJD International Journal of Dermatology 0011-9059 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2003 45
Report
FH Type II-b Prasad and Chidambaram CAMEO
Familial hypercholesterolemia (Type IIb) in a child: a case report
with interesting features
P. V. S. Prasad, MBBS, DV, DD, MD, and N. Chidambaram, MBBS, MD
From the Department of Dermatology, Rajah
Muthiah Medical College and Hospital,
Annamalai University, India
Correspondence
Dr P. V. S. Prasad
No. 88, Auta Nagar
Sivapuri – post
Annamalainagar – 608 002
Tamil Nadu
India
Introduction
Hyperlipidemias are classified as primary and secondary.
Primary hyperlipedemia is diagnosed after excluding the
secondary causes. Glycogen storage disease and congenital
biliary atresia are the two common causes of secondary
hyperlipidemia manifesting in the first year of life. Exogenous
factors like use of oral contraceptives, prednisolone, anabolic
steroids and 113-Cis retinoic acid are the most prevalent
causes of secondary hyperlipidemia in the first two decades of
life.
1
Patients with primary hyperlipdemia have been classi-
fied into five major groups according to plasma lipoprotein 2
patterns (types I to V).
2
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most com-
monly recognized and best understood disorder of lipoprotein
metabolism in childhood.
3
In FH, the hypercholesterolemia
is usually a manifestation of increased levels of LDL choles-
terol. Triglyceride levels are usually normal (type II a) or
may be elevated (type IIb). We report a case of FH with aortic
stenosis.
Case Report
A 5-year-old male child born to nonconsanguinous parents
was seen because of complaints of jaundice since birth and
generalized skin lesions of 1 year in duration.
The patient developed jaundice soon after birth, which
resolved partially with conservative management. At the age
of 4 years lesions developed, initially on the buttocks, spread-
ing to the flexures and later to the extensor aspects of the
limbs and face within a few months. These lesions were pru-
ritic. The patient had loss of appetite but was otherwise active
and playful. There was no history of abdominal pain, clay-
colored stools, vomiting or diarrhoea. Past and family history
were noncontributory.
On examination the child was found to be moderately
nourished and jaundiced. Weight was 7 kg, with a head cir-
cumference of 45 cm and a height of 85 cm. Cutaneous exam-
ination revealed multiple eruptive yellowish papules on the
eyelids (Fig. 1a), trunk (Fig. 1b), and limbs. There were a few
nodules covering the ankle joints (Fig. 1c). Interdigital web
space in the fingers showed multiple yellowish papules.
Flexural areas on the trunk and limbs showed large papules
with the presence of Koebner’s phenomenon. There were also
many rough keratotic papules on the trunk. Mucosa, hair and
nails were normal. Small yellowish papules were seen on the
palms and soles. Systemic examination revealed nontender
hepatomegaly 4 cm below the right costal margin, and a pal-
pable spleen. An ejection systolic murmur was heard in the
aortic area. Respiratory and central nervous system examina-
tions were found to be normal.
Results
Hemoglobin was 10.3 gs%. Serum bilirubin levels varied
from 4.2 to 9.8 mg /dl on various occasions. The last report
was a total bilirubin level of 9.8 mg /dl with a direct bilirubin
level of 4.6 mg /dl. AST: 264 IU, ALT: 217 IU and ALP:
290 W. Serum lipid profile is shown in (Table 1). The other
investigations were found to be within normal limits.
Ultrasound examination of the abdomen showed mild hepa-
tomegaly with normal intrahepatic biliary radicals. Common
bile duct and portal vein were normal.
Echocardiographic examination revealed left ventricular