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| LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
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| Year : 2018 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 3 | Page : 211-212 |
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Congenital insensitivity to pain and anhydrosis syndrome
Isa An, Derya Ucmak
Department of Dermatology, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| Date of Web Publication | 2-May-2018 |
Correspondence Address:
Isa An
Department of Dermatology, Dicle University Medical Faculty, Diyarbakır
Turkey
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_86_17
How to cite this article:
An I, Ucmak D. Congenital insensitivity to pain and anhydrosis syndrome. Indian Dermatol Online J 2018;9:211-2 |
Sir,
A 2-year-old girl presented to our polyclinic with skin dryness, recurrent fever, anhydrosis and nonhealing scars on the elbows and the palms. The patient had a history of anhydrosis, lack of pain sensation, and recurrent fever episodes since birth. The patient bit and hurt her fingers twice within the last 6 months due to the lack of pain sensation. The patient had no family history of genetic disorders and her parents were first-degree cousins. Dermatological examination revealed xerosis in the whole body, ulcers on the fingertips and the palms, and a hyperkeratotic ulcerated lesion on the right patella. Anonychia was present in the right thumb [Figure 1] and [Figure 2]. Hair examination was normal. Hematological and biochemical parameters were within normal ranges. Based on the clinical findings, the patient was diagnosed as having congenital insensitivity to pain and anhydrosis (CIPA) syndrome. | Figure 1: There are ulcerated areas in the fingertips and in the palm with anonychia on the right thumb
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 | Figure 2: There is seen hyperkeratotic ulcerated lesion on the right knee
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CIPA syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital insensitivity to pain, anhydrosis, recurrent fever episodes, and self-destructive behaviors.[1] The incidence of CIPA is 1 in 125 million newborns. CIPA is caused by the mutation on the Neurotrophic Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Type 1 (NTRK1) gene. The NTRK1 gene provides instructions for making a receptor protein that attaches to another protein called NGFβ. The NTRK1 receptor is important for the survival of nerve cells. Mutations in the NTRK1 gene lead to a protein that cannot transmit signals. In CIPA, the lack of pain sensation results from the absence of afferent neurons that are activated by tissue-damaging stimuli, whereas anhydrosis arises from the loss of innervation of eccrine sweat glands caused by sympathetic neurons.[2]
Although microcephaly is an expected finding in CIPA patients, was detected as in our case, cases with hydrocephaly have also been reported in the literature. Patients with CIPA may also present with joint dislocations, corneal ulcerations, and multiple bone fractures caused by repetitive traumas. Typical mucosal findings are the aphthous ulcers caused by repetitive traumas.[1],[3] In CIPA, there is no specific skin symptom. Skin symptoms are often associated with anhydrosis, repetitive traumas caused by the lack of pain sensation, and self-destructive behaviors. These conditions may in turn lead to xerosis, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, skin infections, skin ulcers, scars, and fissures. Moreover, scarring of the lips may occur as a result of circumoral dryness, leading to difficulty opening mouth.[3],[4] The diagnosis of CIPA usually can be based on the clinical presentation, pharmacological test (intradermic reaction to 1:10,000 histamine) and neuropathological exam in electron microscopy. Detection of mutations on the NTRK1 gene represents as the last diagnostic step. There is no specific treatment method for this syndrome.[1],[5]
This rare syndrome should be kept in mind in the infantile patients presenting with xerosis, anhydrosis, and traumatic skin lesions and genetic counseling should be provided for the families of such patients.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
 References | |  |
| 1. | Nagasako EM, Oaklander AL, Dworkin RH. Congenital insensitivity to pain: An update. Pain 2003;101:213-9.  |
| 2. | Mardy S, Miura Y, Endo F, Matsuda I, Indo Y. Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA): Effect of TRKA (NTRK1) missense mutations on autophosphorylation of the receptor tyrosine kinase for nerve growth factor. Hum Mol Genet 2011;10:179-88. |
| 3. | Rasmussen P. The congenital insensitivity to pain syndrome (analgesia congenita). Int J Paediatr Dent 1996;6:117-22. |
| 4. | Safari A, Khaledi AA, Vojdani M. Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA): A case report. Iran Red Crescent Med J 2011;13:134-8. |
| 5. | Udayashankar C, Oudeacoumar P, Nath AK. Congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis: A case report from South India. Indian J Dermatol 2012;57:503. [ PUBMED] [Full text] |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2]
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