Table 3.128.

Main types and characteristics of porphyrias

	Type	Alternative name	Particular features
Acute	Variegate porphyria*	South African (Afrikaans) genetic porphyria	Acute, severe abdominal pain; cardiovascular disturbances; neuropsychiatric disturbance; autonomic dysfunction; rashes
	Acute intermittent porphyria*	Swedish porphyria	Acute, severe abdominal pain; cardiovascular disturbances; neuropsychiatric disturbance; autonomic dysfunction
Hereditary coproporphyria*	Coproporphyria	Acute, severe abdominal pain; cardiovascular disturbances; neuropsychiatric disturbance; autonomic dysfunction
Non-acute	Porphyria cutanea tarda	Cutaneous hepatic porphyria	Photosensitivity and iron overload. Drugs do not precipitate acute attacks but the condition is aggravated by alcohol, oestrogens, iron and polychlorinated aromatic compounds
	Congenital porphyria**	Erythropoietic porphyria, Gunther's disease	Red teeth; hypertrichosis; severe mutilating photosensitivity rashes; haemolytic anaemia

^*Clinically significant.

^**Erythropoietic.