Acute Intermittent Porphyria is an autosomal dominant inherited
disorder that affects the liver. Between 5-10 cases per 100,000 people are estimated to
have this disorder. This disorder is more common in women than men. The symptoms do not
appear until after puberty.
Symptoms
abdominal pain
nausea and vomiting
muscle weakness and paralysis
pain in arms, legs, and back
hallucination and seizures
vascular spasms
hypertension
heartbeat rate increases
In AIP an enzyme deficiency alone does not cause the attack. Most
of the time the attack is brought on by drugs (such as hormonal and dietary drugs) that
can provoke the symptoms, causing an attack. The acute attack causes nervous system
dysfunction. Sometimes an acute attack is so severe it can cause periods of paralysis. It
can also cause respiratory paralysis so severe that the patient is unable to speak,
breath, and swallow, and sometimes can lead to death.