eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Diseases of Pigmentation

Albinism: Follow-up

Author: Raymond E Boissy, PhD, Director of Basic Science Research, Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Cell Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Coauthor(s): James J Nordlund, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 30, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

Complications

  • Complications of oculocutaneous albinism type 1 include photophobia, severe-to-moderate reduced visual acuity, and nystagmus. The ocular complications in oculocutaneous albinism type 2, oculocutaneous albinism type 3, and oculocutaneous albinism type 4 are similar to those in oculocutaneous albinism type 1, but, in oculocutaneous albinism type 3, they are not as severe.
  • Complications of Chediak-Higashi syndrome include easy bruising, mucosal bleeding, epistaxis and petechiae, recurrent infections primarily involving the respiratory system, and neutropenia. In the accelerated phase, fever; anemia; neutropenia; and, occasionally, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and jaundice may occur. Neurologic problems in Chediak-Higashi syndrome may include a peripheral and cranial neuropathy, autonomic dysfunction, weakness and sensory deficits, loss of deep tendon reflexes, clumsiness with a wide-based gait, seizures, and decreased motor nerve conduction velocities.
  • Long-term complications of Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome include pulmonary fibrosis, granulomatous colitis, gingivitis, and kidney failure.

Patient Education

  • Patients should use broad-spectrum sunscreens and should wear appropriate clothing to prevent ultraviolet-induced damage to the skin. Visual impairment can be improved by using corrective lenses.
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Albinism

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Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Albinism
Treatment & Medication: Albinism
Follow-up: Albinism
Multimedia: Albinism
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

albinism, albino, oculocutaneous albinism, oculocutaneous albinism type 1, oculocutaneous albinism type 2, oculocutaneous albinism type 3, oculocutaneous albinism type 4, OCA, OCA type 1, OCA type 2, OCA type 3, OCA type 4, ocular albinism, OA, Chediak-Higashi syndrome, CHS, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, HPS, Griscelli Syndrome, GS, congenital hypopigmentary disease

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Raymond E Boissy, PhD, Director of Basic Science Research, Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Cell Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Raymond E Boissy, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Sigma Xi
Disclosure: University of Cincinnati None None

Coauthor(s)

James J Nordlund, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
James J Nordlund, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Sigma Xi, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Jean Paul Ortonne, MD, Chair, Department of Dermatology, Professor, Hospital L'Archet, Nice University, France
Jean Paul Ortonne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Dermatological Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Richard P Vinson, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA
Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Van Perry, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center
Van Perry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds None; Genentech Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Grant/research funds None; Covance Consulting fee Consulting; Shire  Consulting

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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