PYODERMA-GANGRENOSUM IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Pyoderma gangrenosum is an uncommon ulcerative skin disorder that occu rs in all age groups. Approximately 4% of patients are infants and chi ldren. There are several notable differences between the childhood and adult manifestations of the disease, including the distribution of le sions and associated disorders. We reviewed the childhood cases (less- than-or-equal-to 18 yrs of age) of unequivocal pyoderma gangrenosum in the English literature and tabulated the trends in clinical features, associated disorders, and therapy. We report our 3-week-old patient, the youngest documented case. Of the 46 patients, only 4 were less tha n 1 year of age. A systemic illness was present in 74% of the older ch ildren, most commonly, ulcerative colitis. Only one infant had an asso ciated problem (HIV+) at the time of onset. Infants appear to have an unusual distribution of perianal and genital lesions not often describ ed in other age groups. Our review suggests that pyoderma gangrenosum in children has a similar clinical appearance to that in adults. It is associated with some of the same underlying disorders, but with diffe rent frequencies. The distribution of lesions in children is similar, often involving the lower extremities, but pyoderma gangrenosum of the head and face appears to be more common in children. Infants may have ulcers in genital and perianal areas. The most frequently prescribed treatment for children is systemic corticosteroids, which generally ar e very effective.