Doctors in Ho Chi Minh City have been able to treat a young girl who suffers two rare genetic disorders, which is considered potentially a one-of-a-kind case.

The patient, 12-year-old N.T.H.G. from the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, was diagnosed with nevi and lichen planus, according to Hoang Van Minh, a senior doctor at that University Medical Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

Red marks appeared across G.’s body when she was six months old, and the marks became darker and had a brownish color when she was one year old.

When she was two years old, the young girl started to develop open sores around her lips and oral mucosa.

G.’s family took her to multiple hospitals but the conditions only worsened.

The open sores began appearing around her anus and sex organs when she was seven years old.

The pain had only got worse until G. was taken to the University Medical Center a few months ago.

Doctors at the infirmary performed a biopsy on the young patient and sent the samples to the United States for diagnosis.

An open sore inside the patient’s mouth caused by lichen planus. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The results showed that G. suffered from both nevi and lichen planus.

According to Dr. Minh, G. is possibly the first-ever pediatric patient in the world who is diagnosed with both of the rare genetic disorders.

Following a four-month treatment, all open sores have disappeared and G. is now able to resume her normal activities.

When the patient’s health condition has stabilized, doctors will begin laser treatment to remove the marks caused by nevi on her skin, said Minh.

The process will take about two years, the doctor added.

There has not been any report proving the connection between both diseases, he continued, adding that the two disorders are not fatal.

Lichen planus, however, causes pain and negatively impacts patients’ daily life, while nevi may make the patients dismayed by their appearance, Minh remarked.

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