Vitamin a and Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris.

Pathology of Vitamin A Deficiency and its Clinical Significance

“…The existence of two different forms, a hereditary and an acquired one, has been accepted until recently (Touraine, 1942). After having collected 152 cases from the world literature, the present author was able to demonstrate with the help of Ford that pityriasis rubra pilaris is always inherited, probably as a simple, autosomal, heterozygous condition, without being even partially sex-controlled, and without linkage with the blood group (Leimer, 1947~). The apparently non-familial cases are due to mutation (Leitner & Ford, 1947;Cockayne, 1950).…”

“…The great importance of this case lies in the fact that both conditions were inherited, and that two different systems of ectodermal origin, the skin and the central nervous system, were involved in the same patient (Leimer, 1946).…”

“…Clinical medicine, however, in contrast with the Sheffield and other experiments (Steffens, Bair & Sheard 1939), deals with subjects of every age group, and with known or unknown impairments of the organs, who in addition are exposed to a number of conditioning factors (Leimer, 1948). Diseases caused bv lack of water-soluble vitamins are easily detectable, but it is much more difficult to relate symptoms and signs to a lack of vitamin A, of which reserves may be stored in the organs for up to z years.…”

Vitamin A—Responsive Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris With Myasthenia Gravis

“…Proteinbound iodine was 7.2/ig/100 cc (normal 4.0-6.1) ; tri-iodothyronine uptake was 28% (normal under 35%). Her 24-hour urinary 17-hydroxysteroids were 3.9 mg/24 hr (normal 2-12 mg/24 hr) ; 24 hour urinary 17-ketosteroids, 5 Results of chest x-ray, tonograms, and multiple lordotic views were negative. X-ray examination of the gastrointestinal tract and skull were normal.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] It is unknown if the vita¬ min deficiency causes the cutaneous changes or if the conditions are coincidental. It is also uncertain how the vitamin exerts its beneficial effect.…”