GeneHealth - Your precision medicine

Carotenemia

Disease Details

Family Health Simplified

Buy Membership

Description: Carotenemia is a condition characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, primarily due to excessive ingestion of carotenoid-rich foods like carrots and sweet potatoes.
Type: Carotenemia is not a genetic disorder. It is a condition characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, typically resulting from an excessive intake of carotene-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables.
Signs And Symptoms: Carotenemia is characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, particularly on the palms, soles, and nasolabial folds. This condition occurs due to excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash. Unlike jaundice, carotenemia does not affect the sclera of the eyes. Patients usually present with no other symptoms, and the discoloration typically improves with dietary modification.
Prognosis: Carotenemia is typically a benign condition with an excellent prognosis. It is caused by excessive intake of carotene-rich foods, leading to a yellow-orange discoloration of the skin. The condition resolves with dietary adjustments to reduce carotene consumption.
Onset: Carotenemia is characterized by the yellow-orange discoloration of the skin due to high levels of carotenoids in the blood. The onset is typically gradual and occurs due to excessive consumption of carotenoid-rich foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and other orange or green vegetables. There are no associated systemic symptoms, making it clinically benign.
Prevalence: The prevalence of carotenemia is not well-documented due to its generally benign nature and because it often goes unreported. It can occur in individuals of any age but is more commonly seen in infants and young children due to their dietary habits. Carotenemia is characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, particularly on the palms and soles, resulting from high levels of carotenoids in the blood, typically from excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins.
Epidemiology: Carotenemia, also known as carotenoderma, refers to the yellow-orange discoloration of the skin caused by elevated levels of carotenoids in the blood. It often results from excessive dietary intake of carotene-rich foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and other orange and yellow vegetables and fruits.

Epidemiology:
1. **Prevalence**: Carotenemia is relatively rare but more commonly seen in certain populations, such as infants and young children, who consume a high level of pureed vegetables and fruits.
2. **Age and Gender**: While it can affect individuals of any age, it is more frequently observed in children due to their dietary patterns. There is no significant gender predilection.
3. **Geographical Distribution**: There is no specific geographical distribution for carotenemia as it can occur in any population where high carotenoid foods are consumed.
4. **Associated Conditions**: It is sometimes seen in individuals with underlying metabolic disorders, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and anorexia nervosa, which can affect carotenoid metabolism and deposition.

Carotenemia is usually benign and reversible upon reduction in the intake of carotene-rich foods.
Intractability: Carotenemia is generally not considered intractable. It is often caused by excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins. Reducing the intake of these foods usually resolves the condition without lasting effects. It is typically a benign condition and does not require medical interventions, unless it is related to an underlying metabolic disorder.
Disease Severity: Carotenemia is generally considered a benign condition. It is characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, particularly on the palms and soles, due to elevated levels of carotene in the blood. This condition is usually caused by excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins. Although it may cause cosmetic concern, carotenemia is not harmful and typically resolves with dietary adjustments.
Healthcare Professionals: Disease Ontology ID - DOID:9969
Pathophysiology: **Pathophysiology of Carotenemia:**
Carotenemia is a clinical condition characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, which results from increased levels of carotene in the blood. This typically occurs due to excessive dietary intake of carotenoid-rich foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash.

Carotenes are fat-soluble pigments, which when consumed in large amounts, are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and transported in lipoproteins. They accumulate primarily in the stratum corneum of the epidermis, leading to the characteristic skin discoloration. Unlike jaundice, carotenemia does not typically affect the sclera of the eyes.

The condition is generally benign and reversible upon the reduction of carotenoid intake. It is more commonly observed in individuals with certain metabolic alterations or dietary patterns but can affect anyone with high consumption of carotenoid-containing foods over time.
Carrier Status: Carotenemia does not have a carrier status as it is not a genetic or inherited condition. Instead, it is caused by excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and other orange or yellow vegetables and fruits. The condition is characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, particularly on the palms and soles.
Mechanism: Carotenemia is a clinical condition characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, resulting from elevated levels of carotenoids in the blood. Here are the mechanisms and molecular mechanisms involved:

### Mechanism
1. **Dietary Intake**: Excessive consumption of carotenoid-rich foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables, leads to increased levels of carotenoids in the body.
2. **Absorption**: Carotenoids are absorbed from the small intestine and transported via chylomicrons through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.
3. **Distribution**: Carotenoids are distributed to various tissues, including adipose tissue and the skin, where they impart a yellow-orange hue.
4. **Excretion**: Normally, carotenoids are metabolized in the liver and excreted in bile and urine. However, when intake exceeds the body's ability to metabolize and excrete them, accumulation occurs.

### Molecular Mechanisms
1. **Carotenoid Transportation**: Carotenoids are transported in the blood bound to lipoproteins. When intake is excessive, these lipoproteins carry more carotenoids than usual, leading to elevated plasma levels.
2. **Metabolism in the Liver**: The liver plays a central role in metabolizing carotenoids. Enzymes like β-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase convert β-carotene to retinal. Excessive intake can saturate these metabolic pathways.
3. **Carotenoid Storage**: Lipophilic carotenoids are stored in adipose tissue. The skin, rich in subcutaneous fat, prominently shows discoloration due to high carotenoid content.
4. **Genetic Factors**: Variations in genes responsible for carotenoid metabolism and transport, such as mutations in the BCMO1 gene (encoding β-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase), can influence individual susceptibility to carotenemia.

Understanding the balance between intake, absorption, metabolism, storage, and excretion is crucial in understanding carotenemia.
Treatment: Carotenemia and carotenoderma is in itself harmless, and does not require treatment. In primary carotenoderma, when the use of high quantities of carotene is discontinued the skin color will return to normal. It may take up to several months, however, for this to happen. Infants with this condition should not be taken off prescribed vitamin supplements unless advised to do so by the child's pediatrician.
As to underlying disorders in secondary carotinemia and carotenoderma, treatment depends wholly on the cause.
Compassionate Use Treatment: Carotenemia is a condition characterized by yellow-orange discoloration of the skin due to high levels of carotenoids in the blood. This typically results from excessive intake of carotene-rich foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins. Since carotenemia itself is generally benign and not a life-threatening condition, there is no need for compassionate use treatments or experimental therapies. The primary management involves dietary modification to reduce intake of carotene-rich foods, which usually resolves the discoloration over time. Off-label or experimental treatments are not typically applicable for this condition.
Lifestyle Recommendations: ### Lifestyle Recommendations for Carotenemia

1. **Dietary Adjustments**:
- Reduce intake of foods high in carotenoids, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and oranges.
- Incorporate a balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables to avoid overconsumption of carotenoid-rich foods.

2. **Monitoring and Education**:
- Regularly monitor skin color changes and dietary habits.
- Educate the affected person about the sources of carotenoids and encourage moderation.

3. **Hydration**:
- Maintain adequate hydration, which can support skin health and overall metabolism.

4. **Consultation with Healthcare Providers**:
- Regular follow-up with a healthcare provider to monitor skin changes and overall health.
- Seek nutritional counseling if unsure how to balance the diet appropriately.

5. **Awareness of Symptoms**:
- Understand that carotenemia primarily manifests as yellow-orange skin discoloration, which is most noticeable on the palms and soles.
- Recognize that this condition is typically benign and reversible with dietary changes.
Medication: Carotenemia is not typically treated with medication, as it is generally a benign condition caused by excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and orange vegetables. The primary management strategy involves dietary modification to reduce the intake of these foods. In most cases, the orange discoloration of the skin will gradually fade once carotene levels in the diet are decreased. If there are any underlying concerns or complications, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
Repurposable Drugs: Carotenemia primarily results from excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables and fruits. It typically does not require medication for treatment; instead, dietary modification to reduce carotene intake is usually sufficient. Therefore, repurposable drugs are not applicable for managing this condition.
Metabolites: Carotenemia is characterized by an elevated level of carotenoids in the blood, primarily beta-carotene. The major metabolic pathways involve the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A (retinol) in the liver. The metabolites involved include various forms of vitamin A (retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid), as well as the unconverted carotenoids such as beta-carotene. These substances are transported in the blood bound to lipoproteins.
Nutraceuticals: Carotenemia is primarily caused by excessive intake of carotene-rich foods, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and other orange or yellow vegetables. It is usually harmless and resolves with dietary adjustment. Nutraceuticals containing high levels of beta-carotene could potentially exacerbate carotenemia, so caution is advised. There is no established application of nanotechnology (nan) specifically for treating or managing carotenemia. Adjusting dietary intake remains the primary approach.
Peptides: Carotenemia is not directly related to peptides, as it is a condition caused by an excessive intake of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, found in various fruits and vegetables. It leads to yellow-orange discoloration of the skin. "Nan" does not appear to be relevant to this condition.