Harderoporphyria (HARPO) is a rare erythropoietic variant form of hereditary coproporphyria (HCP; 121300) characterized by neonatal hemolytic anemia, sometimes accompanied by skin lesions, and massive excretion of harderoporphyrin in feces. During childhood and adulthood, a mild residual anemia is chronically observed (review by Schmitt et al., 2005).

Congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) is characterized in most individuals by severe cutaneous photosensitivity with blistering and increased friability of the skin over light-exposed areas. Onset in most affected individuals occurs at birth or early infancy. The first manifestation is often pink-to-dark red discoloration of the urine. Hemolytic anemia is common and can range from mild to severe, with some affected individuals requiring chronic blood transfusions. Porphyrin deposition may lead to corneal ulcers and scarring, reddish-brown discoloration of the teeth (erythrodontia), and bone loss and/or expansion of the bone marrow. The phenotypic spectrum, however, is broad and ranges from nonimmune hydrops fetalis in utero to late-onset disease with only mild cutaneous manifestations in adulthood.

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).