CHILDHOOD PORPHYRIAS - IMPLICATIONS AND TREATMENTS

In describing the clinical, biochemical, and family findings in five c hildren with porphyria, we examine initial treatments and, where appro priate, the effectiveness of long-term therapy. We note that porphyria diagnosis, particularly in childhood, relies heavily on specialist la boratory investigations. Because disease expression in some porphyrias requires exposure to precipitating factors, it may be prevented or de layed by their avoidance.