A child with weight loss and alacrimation: Triple a syndrome

Abstract

Triple A syndrome or Allgrove's syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder usually manifested with three main clinical features, i.e. achalasia, alacrimation and adrenal inadequacy. Sometimes, it presents with polyneuropathy and neurological complications. Here, we report a case of a 7-year girl presenting with features of weight loss who was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency at the age of 7 years while achalasia was diagnosed at the age of 3 years. First manifestation was achalasia and at that time, alacrimation was also defected. A 7-year XX female child presented at Endocrine Clinic of Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) with hyperpigmentation, easy fatigue and weight loss. She had one sibling with same complaints and one brother died at the age of 3 years because of adrenal insufficiency. Her laboratory investigations revealed low cortisol level and high ACTH level, with inadequate response as well as short synacthen test (dynamic function test). This is a first case of Allgrove's syndrome reported in a tertiary hospital setting of Pakistan. Allgrove's syndrome should be considered in patients who report with adrenal insufficiency.