ACUTE HEMORRHAGIC EDEMA OF INFANCY, A BENIGN VARIANT OF LEUKOCYTOCLASTIC VASCULITIS

Acute haemorrhagic oedema of infancy (AHEI) is an acute leucocytoclast ic vasculitis affecting infants and young children. It has a striking appearance of large purpuric skin lesions in a target-like pattern and marked oedema mainly on the face, auricles and extremities. In some p atients there is mucosal involvement as well. We present five patients with skin lesions characteristic of AHEI with no visceral involvement and complete resolution within 7-14 days. In three of our five cases, histopathological examination was performed, and demonstrated typical leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Although sometimes confused with Schonle in-Henoch purpura, we suggest that AHEI should be regarded as a separa te entity. Clinical criteria for diagnosis are proposed.