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carotenemia
Etiology:
- excessive intake of carrots or other sources of carotene
- yellow & green vegetables
- citrus fruits
- hypothyroidism
- diabetes mellitus
- hepatic diseases
- anorexia nervosa
- renal diseases
Epidemiology:
- most common in children
Pathology:
- thyroxine enhances conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A, thus the association with hypothyroidism
Clinical manifestations:
- yellow discoloration of the skin
- the sclera & oral cavity are unaffected
- the liver & spleen are normal
Laboratory:
- serum carotene is elevated
- serum bilirubin is normal
Differential diagnosis:
- hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice
Complications:
- amenorrhea may be associated with carotenemia
Management:
- generally benign condition
- decrease intake of carotene-containing foods
General
sign/symptom
References
- Medscape: Carotenemia
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1104368-overview