Congenital Insensitivity To Pain With Anhidrosis

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) also known as hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type IV, is an inherited disease where there is an inability to feel pain and temperature, and decreased or absent sweating (anhidrosis). The signs and symptoms of CIPA usually appear at birth or during infancy. The inability to feel pain and temperature often leads to repeated, severe injuries and unintentional self-injury is common. People with CIPA may also heal slowly from skin and bone injuries, which can lead to chronic bone infections (osteomyelitis) or a condition called Charcot joints. Absent sweating can cause recurrent, high fevers (hyperpyrexia) and seizures brought on by high temperature (febrile seizures). Other features may include dental caries, difficulty controlling urine and defecating (urine and fecal incontinence), behavioral or emotional problems and intellectual disability. CIPA is caused by changes (mutations) in the NTRK1 gene. Inheritance is autosomal recessive. There is still no cure for CIPA. Treatment is aimed at controlling body temperature, preventing self-injury, and treating orthopedic problems, as soon as possible. It is very important to control the body temperature during surgery.