HETEROZYGOUS ALPHA(1)-ANTITRYPSIN DEFICIENCY (PISZ) IN AN ADOLESCENT WITH ASTHMA

Although alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency has been associated with obst ructive lung disease in individuals possessing a homozygous phenotype (PiZZ), this association has not been as clearly documented in heteroz ygous individuals (PiMZ, PiMS, and PiSZ phenotypes), Information regar ding the heterozygous adolescent population is particularly lacking, m aking the evaluation and treatment of such patients difficult, We pres ent the case of an adolescent with a history of asthma and heterozygou s (PiSZ) alpha(1)-antitrypsin deficiency and outline our management wi th reference to appropriate literature.