CLINICS AND THERAPY OF EOSINOPHILIC CELLU LITIS (WELLS-SYNDROME) IN CHILDHOOD

Wells' syndrome (eosinophilic cellulitis) is a rare inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology and pathogenesis. Only 18 cases in childho od have been reported. We report on a 5-year-old girl who showed the t ypical biphasic and recurrent course of the disease: initially edemato us-cellulitic lesions associated with blisters, followed by morphea-li ke changes on the extremities. Eosinophilia of peripheral blood was ap parent, which, however, was not correlated with the severity of the cu rrent condition. After a recurrent course for 4 months and intermitten t systemic administration of antibiotics (on the assumption of erysipe las and phlegmon) and glucocorticosteroids, the disease healed without sequelae. Trigger factors or systemic hematologic malignancy could no t be detected. Diskussion: Wells' syndrome is probably more common tha n believed and should be included in the differential diagnosis of urt icarial, morphea-like and bullous eruptions in childhood.