FATAL CARDIOMYOPATHY IN DYSTROPHIC EPIDERMOLYSIS-BULLOSA

Two unrelated children with autosomal recessive dystrophic epidermolys is bullosa (RDEB) developed fatal dilated cardiomyopathy. Both were ma lnourished and had severe growth problems, We believe that the most li kely cause for the cardiomyopathy is a micronutrient deficiency, most probably selenium deficiency, since the serum selenium level was found to be reduced in the case in whom we measured this, and in 14 of 25 o ther children with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, Echocardiographic screening of 18 other patients revealed no evidence of cardiomyopathy . We recommend careful attention to nutrition, with prospective monito ring of vitamins and micronutrients including selenium and carnitine, and regular echocardiographic screening of patients with severe RDEB.