Introduction: Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a very rare disorder, most often of genetic origin.
Case report: The authors present the case of two siblings, 10 and 13 years old, both followed-up since the age of 2 for CIPA diagnosed after discovering insensitivity to pain during iterative falls, burns, and of severe oro-digital self-mutilating behavior. Sural nerve biopsy and an electromyogram confirmed the diagnosis.
Discussion: CIPA with anhidrosis is a very rare disease. It is characterized by unexplained fever episodes, anhidrosis, pain insensitivity, self-mutilating behavior, and sometimes mental retardation. Complications of this insensitivity (non-treated fractures, burns, and oro-digital mutilation) may be lethal. Treatment remains preventive. The patient must observe a very strict hygiene. Prevention for maxillofacial involvement consists in breaking the cycle of oral self-mutilation.
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