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A progressive neurological syndrome associated with an isolated Vitamin E deficiency

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

P. Laplante ,
M. Vanasse ,
J. Michaud ,
G. Geoffroy  and
P. Brochu
P. Laplante
Affiliation:
Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal
M. Vanasse
Affiliation:
Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal
J. Michaud
Affiliation:
Département de Pédiatrie and Département de Pathologie, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal
G. Geoffroy
Affiliation:
Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal
P. Brochu
Affiliation:
Département de Pédiatrie and Département de Pathologie, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal
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Abstract

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Several authors have recently reported a neurological disorder associated with chronic vitamin E deficiency in man. Except in one patient, this deficiency has always been secondary to an underlying disease resulting in lipid malabsorption. We report a second case of such a neurological syndrome in a patient in whom vitamin E deficiency was an isolated finding.

The clinical picture in our patient was characterized by a diffuse muscle weakness most prominent distally and in the lower limbs, generalized areflexia, a decrease in proprioception and vibration sense and slight limb and gait ataxia. His condition improved on alpha tocopherol therapy so that it is very likely that vitamin E deficiency is responsible for his neurological deficit.

Since in our patient as well as in several other reported cases this condition has been treatable, it is important that this syndrome be recognized in children presenting a suggestive clinical picture even if they do not have lipid malabsorption.

Type
A—Clinical Studies
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 11 , Issue S4 , November 1984 , pp. 561 - 564
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1984

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