[Impetigo in childhood: study of 93 cases]

Impetigo is a superficial non follicular pyoderma due mainly to staphylococcus aureus and/or to streptococcus pyogenes. It occurs chiefly in childhood. We achieved a retrospective study dealing with 93 cases of impetigo occurring in childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical features of this condition and its management. In our series, the mean age was 4.5 years with no sex predominance. Thirteen patients [14 per cent] had chronic diseases. Atopic dermatitis was seen in only 6.5 per cent of our patients. Impetigo occurred mainly in summer and autumn. The lesions were mostly erosions covered with yellowish crusts. Rarely, it was matter of vesicles and blisters. These lesions were mainly localized on the face. Treatment was based on antiseptic agents in all patients, associated to topical or systemic antibiotics

[Tuberous xanthoma associated to plan xanthoma during a dyslipidemea - about 14 cases]

Xanthoma are benign cutaneous tumors. They can be isolated or associated to hyperlipidaemia. We report the observation of a 15-year-old patient, born from un inbred marriage, which presents a tuberous xanthoma of the right elbow associated to plan xanthoma which revealed a type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia. We shall call back the various aspects of xanthoma, as well as the clinical and biological particularities of the type IIa hypertipoproteinemia

[Cutaneous mastocytosis in children. A review of 15 cases]

Introduction: Cutaneous mastocytosis [CM] is a rare disease defined as the infiltration of the skin by mast cells. This disorder is more frequentin children. The evolution of the pediatric form to a systemic disease is rare

Patients and Methods: Our study concerned 15 children seen in the dermatology department of Charles Nicolle Hospital between 1984 and 2002. The aim of this work is to show clinic, therapeutic and evolutive particularities of this disease

Results: Sex-ratio was about 0.87 [7 males and 8 females]. The age at onset of the lesion ranged from one month to 11.5 years. Urticaria pigmentosa was observed in 11 cases, diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis in 2 cases and and xanthelasmoid form in two other children. The treatment of our patients was based essentially on preventive measures and symptomatic therapy with histamine receptor antagonists. Over a mean follow-up period of 11 months we noted regression or resolution of the lesions in 9 cases

Discussion: Urticaria pigmentosa is the most benign. However, systemic signs are more frequent in the diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis form. Preventive measures are the main therapeutic mean; especially avoidance of histamine-releasing agents