Albinism natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shadan Mehraban, M.D.[2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

The complications of albinism include skin cancer, sunburn, decreased visual acuity, poor self-image and self-isolation lead to depression. Patients with albinism has a normal life expectancy and do not have developmental delay or mental retardation.

Complications[edit | edit source]

• The complications of albinism are as follows:^[1][2][3]
  • Skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
    • 80% of skin cancer are diagnosed in patients aged over 55 years ^[4][5]
  • Sunburn
  • Decreased visual acuity
  • Poor self-image and self-isolation that may lead to depression
  • Individuals with albinism are at increased risk of attention deficit disorder
  • Bleeding disorders in patients with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
  • Infection risk in Chediak-Higashi syndrome

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

• Patients with albinism has a normal life expectancy
• Albinism does not cause developmental delay or mental retardation
• Patients may have delayed visual maturation ^[6]Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

References[edit | edit source]

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