Two juvenile polyps, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and SMAD4 mutation

An adolescent girl with recurrent iron deficiency anemia, epistaxis, cyanosis, hypoxemia, clubbing, two juvenile polyps in the colon, oro-naso-pharyngeal telangiectasias, multiple arterio-venous malformations of the lungs, and a new homozygous mutation in SMAD4 gene is reported. Patients with juvenile polyps should be examined carefully for mucocutaneus findings and digital clubbing. When a combination of these signs is noted, a genetic testing is warranted inspite of low polyp count in order to prevent potential risk of malignancy and other complications.