Childhood pernio and cryoproteins

Childhood pernio is an uncommon condition described mainly through isolated case reports. We examined the cutaneous spectrum, clinical associations, p resence of cryoproteins, and evolution of the condition in children, and pe rformed a retrospective case series evaluation of children with pernio seen at a single ambulatory care university center over a 10-year period. Cases were drawn from a population of 3.2 million, Follow-up was at least 3 year s. We found four boys and four girls with pernio, Distribution of skin lesi ons was on the fingers, toes, and ears. Four children had cryoglobulins or cold agglutinins, two had a positive rheumatoid factor, and none had a posi tive ANA or ANA profile. All eight cleared within 3 months and did not recu r over at least a 3-year period. We concluded that childhood pernio is unco mmon and may be associated with the presence of cryoproteins.