Diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in a pediatric patient admitted with diabetes: the utility of genetic testing

Abstract

Background: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) formerly known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by vascular dysplasia and a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Case presentation: We report the case of an undiagnosed pediatric patient who presented hypoxemia on clinical exam as the only suggestive feature for the presence of HHT. Conclusions: Although HHT diagnosis is based on the finding of characteristic clinical features genetic testing should also be implemented when a family history of the disease is present to help confirm or refute the diagnosis.