Mymensingh medical journal : MMJ
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Case Reports
Hypertriglyceridemia associated with eruptive xanthomas and lipemia retinalis in newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus.
Severe hypertriglyceridemia can cause the deposit of lipids in the dermis (eruptive xanthomas) and in the retina (lipemia retinalis). Lipemia retinalis and eruptive xanthoma are occasionally seen in patients with diabetes mellitus and are thought to be due to abnormalities in the serum lipid fractions. Here a 15 year's old girl presented with typical symptoms of diabetes with skin lesions over hands and feet. ⋯ Laboratory findings showed a grossly lipemic serum with markedly elevated serum levels of triglycerides 8869mg/dl cholesterol 498mg/dl. Her fasting blood glucose was 20.8mmol/l, 2 hours after breakfast was 50.5mmol/l and HbA1c was 14.6%. Eruptive xanthomas and lipaemia retinalis can occur in primary and secondary hyperlipoproteinemias, therefore a careful personal and family history as well as laboratory investigations is recommended in order to detect an underlying cause.