Hypertriglyceridaemia: Aetiology, complications and management

Exchange transfusions for extreme hypertriglyceridemia in a 7-week-old infant with multi-organ failure

Severe hypertriglyceridemia is the third most common cause of acute pancreatitis and is strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In infants, the most common cause of severe hypertriglyceridemia is lipoprotein lipase deficiency. We describe a 7-week-old infant with severe hypertriglyceridemia, who presented with frequent gastrointestinal bleeding, respiratory distress, a decreased level of consciousness and lipemia retinalis. Triglycerides were reduced from 734 to 2 mmol/L (64,956-177 mg/dL), by exchange transfusions. The infant made a remarkable recovery with no sequelae. This case highlights atypical, protean presentations and a potential treatment when established therapies are unavailable.