VietNamNet
Bridge – Doctors at the Hanoi-based
Central Dermatology Hospital are curing a little girl who suffers from the
so-called “vampire” disease.
Dr.
Nguyen Duy Hung, Secretary General of the Vietnam Dermatology Association, told
VietNamNet that the patient is only five years old and she comes from Soc Son
district, Hanoi.
The
patient was hospitalized over a month ago, with acute wounds on her skin. There
are hundreds of blisters, with liquid inside, and scars on the girl’s body,
particularly on exposed parts like face, neck, arms and legs. The skin that is
covered by clothing looks normal.
These
scars have deformed the girl’s face, arms and legs. Her fingernails and toes
are atrophied because of scars.
The
patient is also very hairy and she does not develop normally. She is only 13
kilos in weight and has anemia.
Doctors
made a lot of tests and diagnosed that the girl contracted a rare innate
disease called Porphyrin syndrome. This is a genetic disease.
According
to Dr. Hung, this disease is uncommon in the world, with around 200 cases
recorded worldwide so far.
The
doctor says that this disease is also called “vampire” disease because the skin
of patients gets injured when it touches sunlight, leaving terrifying scars and
atrophied limbs.
Dr.
Hung adds that there is no measure to treat this disease to the very roots.
Doctors can help deal with anemia and skin wounds, and in some cases they can
perform bone marrow transplant.
The
doctor says that this is the first “vampire” patient treated at the Central
Dermatology Hospital, or perhaps the first in Vietnam.
The
patient is the youngest child in a family with four children. The patient’s
second brother had similar symptoms but he died at the age of seven.
The
patient has left hospital but the family and the hospital has maintained
communications. The patient will be examined periodically.
This
disease can be detected very early, during pregnancy.
This
disease can be mistaken with other skin diseases.
Ngoc
Anh
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