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

Complications

• amenorrhea may be associated with carotenemia

Differential diagnosis

• hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice

Management

• generally benign condition
• decrease intake of carotene-containing foods

More general terms

• sign/symptom