Reversible Hyperpigmentation: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Authors

  • Somnath Maitra Associate Professor, General Medicine, Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Buita, Budge Budge, Kolkata, West Bengal, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7906-3570
  • Kaushik Hazra Assistant Professor, General Medicine, Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Buita, Budge Budge, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • Biswaroop Mukherjee Associate Professor, General Medicine, Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Buita, Budge Budge, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v12i6.34462

Keywords:

Anemia, Vitamin B12 deficiency, Acral hyperpigmentation

Abstract

Vitamin B12 deficiency presents as megaloblastic anemia with neurological, skin and other clinical manifestations. We present here an interesting case of anemia presenting with generalized weakness and nonspecific symptoms in a female who is a vegetarian. There was acral hyperpigmentation without any other clinical features, Investigations revealed megaloblastic anemia with low vitamin B12 and normal RBC folate levels. The patient improved after blood transfusion and intramuscular vitamin B12 injections and the skin lesions faded away suggesting vitamin B12 deficiency to be the cause of hyperpigmentation, which is an uncommon manifestation. The importance lies in the fact that this cause of reversible hyperpigmentation should be thought of by clinicians to start prompt treatment.

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Published

2021-06-01

How to Cite

Maitra, S., Hazra, K., & Mukherjee, B. (2021). Reversible Hyperpigmentation: A Diagnostic Dilemma. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 12(6), 133–135. https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v12i6.34462

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 6 (2021)

Section

Case Reports

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