Hereditary coproporphyria (HCP) is an acute (hepatic) porphyria in which the acute symptoms are neurovisceral and occur in discrete episodes. Attacks typically start in the abdomen with low-grade pain that slowly increases over a period of days (not hours) with nausea progressing to vomiting. In some individuals, the pain is predominantly in the back or extremities. When an acute attack is untreated, a motor neuropathy may develop over a period of days or a few weeks. The neuropathy first appears as weakness proximally in the arms and legs, then progresses distally to involve the hands and feet. Some individuals experience respiratory insufficiency due to loss of innervation of the diaphragm and muscles of respiration. Acute attacks are associated commonly with use of certain medications, caloric deprivation, and changes in female reproductive hormones. About 20% of those with an acute attack also experience photosensitivity associated with bullae and skin fragility.

Porphyria-related encephalopathy (ENCEP) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the onset of progressive neurologic abnormalities in early infancy. Features include global developmental delay, poor walking or inability to walk, impaired intellectual development, hypotonia, ataxia, dysarthria, spasticity, ocular abnormalities, and peripheral neuropathy. The disease course is usually rapidly progressive and may lead to death in childhood. Laboratory studies show increased plasma and urinary levels of the putatively neurotoxic porphyrin precursors delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), porphobilinogen (PBG), and uroporphyrin resulting from deficient HMBS enzymatic activity (Solis et al., 2004).