AN INFANT PRESENTING WITH MILKY SERUM: A RARE CASE REPORT

Abstract

: Lipid disorders can occur either as primary event or secondary to an underlying disease. Primary dyslipidemias are associated with overproduction or impaired removal of lipoprotein. An abnormality in the lipoprotein itself or in the lipoprotein receptor induces impaired removal of lipoprotein. Hypertriglyceridemia is defined as having plasma triglyceride above the 95 th percentile for age and sex. It is a rare disorder in childhood. We present a case of six months old male infant who was admitted in our hospital with the history of anemia. Infant was detected to have highly viscous and milky serum during the sampling of blood coincidentally. The serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were markedly raised. There were no typical signs of hyperlipidemia like growth failure, dysmorphic features, hepatosplenomegaly, eruptive cutaneous xanthomas or lipemia retinalis. There was also no positive family history of hyperlipidemia. A clinical diagnosis of Type I hypertriglyceridemia was made and the infant was put on lipid lowering drugs and iron drops. Infant responded well to the treatment. Hemoglobin levels improved with the improving lipid profile parameters. Early diagnosis and intervention can therefore, improve the prognosis by reducing the complications and preventing the premature death.