Pseudoporphyria and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Pseudoporphyria is characterized by erythema, blistering, and scarring on s un-exposed skin. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are implicate d in the etiology of this condition. In a 1-year prospective study of child ren attending the pediatric rheumatology clinic in Edinburgh we found a pre valence of pseudoporphyria of 10.9% in children taking NSAIDs for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Naproxen was the most commonly implicated NSAID, inde pendent of dosage, Blue/gray eye color was an independent risk factor for t he development of pseudoporphyria, We would advise caution in prescribing n aproxen in these children to prevent disfiguring facial scarring.