Porphyrias are a group of inherited metabolic disorders, in which deficiency of enzymes causes a buildup of porphyrins, which are required for the synthesis of hemoglobin in red blood cells.
This abnormal buildup affects the skin, nerves, brain, and internal organs, causing symptoms like severe abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, muscular pain, convulsions, tingling, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, high blood pressure, tachycardia, itching and rash.
Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an acute manifestation of this condition.