eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: General Medicine > Nutrition

Carotenemia: Treatment & Medication

Author: Raymond D Pitetti, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, University of Pittsburgh Physicians
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 16, 2009

Treatment

Medical Care

  • Treatment of diet-induced carotenemia primarily consists of reassuring caretakers that the child with the condition is not at risk for any serious complications.
  • If parental anxiety is high, eliminating carotene-rich foods from the child's diet can treat carotenemia. With elimination of the intake of carotene-rich foods, serum carotene levels drop sharply within a week and the yellow discoloration of the skin gradually disappears over several weeks to months.
  • Other causes of carotenemia are extremely rare in children. When suspected, direct appropriate investigation and treatment toward the underlying etiology.

Diet

  • Children can be placed on a carotene-deficient diet.

Activity

  • No restrictions are necessary.

Medication

  • Medications are not indicated for the treatment of diet-induced carotenemia.

More on Carotenemia

Overview: Carotenemia
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Carotenemia
Treatment & Medication: Carotenemia
Follow-up: Carotenemia
Multimedia: Carotenemia
References
[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

References

  1. Sale TA, Stratman E. Carotenemia associated with green bean ingestion. Pediatr Dermatol. Nov-Dec 2004;21(6):657-9. [Medline].

  2. Arya V, Grzybowski J, Schwartz RA. Carotenemia. Cutis. Jun 2003;71(6):441-2, 448. [Medline].

  3. Karthik SV, Campbell-Davidson D, Isherwood D. Carotenemia in infancy and its association with prevalent feeding practices. Pediatr Dermatol. Nov-Dec 2006;23(6):571-3. [Medline].

  4. Lascari AD. Carotenemia. A review. Clin Pediatr (Phila). Jan 1981;20(1):25-9. [Medline].

  5. LaVoo EJ, Paller AS. Common skin problems during the first year of life. Pediatr Clin North Am. Oct 1994;41(5):1105-19. [Medline].

  6. Leung AK. Carotenemia. Adv Pediatr. 1987;34:223-48. [Medline].

  7. Nishimura T. A correlation between carotenemia and biliary dyskinesia. J Dermatol. May 1993;20(5):287-92. [Medline].

  8. Rock CL. Carotenoids: biology and treatment. Pharmacol Ther. Sep 1997;75(3):185-97. [Medline].

  9. Schwenk TL, Byrne WJ, Smith MA. Carotenemia. Am Fam Physician. Jul 1987;36(1):135-6. [Medline].

  10. Takita Y, Ichimiya M, Hamamoto Y, Muto M. A case of carotenemia associated with ingestion of nutrient supplements. J Dermatol. Feb 2006;33(2):132-4. [Medline].

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Further Reading

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Keywords

carotenemia, yellow pigmentation of the skin, beta-carotene, elevated beta-carotene levels, carotene-rich foods, yellow pigment in carrots, carotenoids, dietary vitamin A, diet-induced carotenemia, excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, anorexia nervosa, liver disease, kidney disease, inborn errors of metabolism, xanthemia, carotinemia, carotene, elevated serum carotene, diet-induced carotenemia, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, apples, oranges, peaches, prunes, tomatoes, yams, butter, egg yolks, milk, yellow corn, anorexia nervosa, treatment, diagnosis

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Raymond D Pitetti, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, University of Pittsburgh Physicians
Raymond D Pitetti, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Allegheny County Medical Society, American Academy of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Maria Rebello Mascarenhas, MBBS, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Section Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Director, Nutrition Support Service, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Maria Rebello Mascarenhas, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS, Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia
Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Dietetic Association, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, New York Academy of Sciences, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Mead Johnson Consulting fee Consulting; Mead Johnson Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Dey LP Consulting fee Consulting; Dey LP Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Ovation Honoraria Speaking and teaching

CME Editor

Merrily P M Poth, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS, Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia
Jatinder Bhatia, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Dietetic Association, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, New York Academy of Sciences, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Mead Johnson Consulting fee Consulting; Mead Johnson Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Dey LP Consulting fee Consulting; Dey LP Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Ovation Honoraria Speaking and teaching

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.