Clinical and histologic presentation of pediatric reactive granulomatous dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical and histologic presentation of reactive granulomatous dermatitis (RGD) in the pediatric population. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective chart review, 7 pediatric patients with biopsy-proven RGD were identified. Photographs, histology reports, and clinical course were reviewed to discover patterns in demographics, comorbid conditions, autoimmune sequelae, drug exposures, infections, morphology, and histologic features. RESULTS: Overall, 7 patients were included and analyzed. Most were female and Hispanic. All presented with a similar dermatologic phenotype previously described in the adult literature including macular erythema and annular, pink to violaceous, edematous papules and plaques, often involving proximal extremities and extensor joints. All biopsies demonstrated variable collagen alteration and a perivascular interstitial infiltrate of histiocytes with or without mucin. Neutrophils or karyorrhexic debris were present in 4/7 of the biopsies, and eosinophils were occasionally seen (2/7 cases). In all cases, RGD was associated with active SLE or led to a new diagnosis, and initiation of systemic treatment improved cutaneous disease. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric RGD was more common in female patients and ethnic minorities, and strongly associated with SLE. Clinical and histologic presentations were consistent across all cases with only minor variations, suggesting that recognition and confirmation might be expedited by familiarity with these dominant patterns. Diagnosis of RGD in pediatric patients should prompt screening for SLE.

Cutaneous manifestations of pediatric lupus.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review recent evidence on cutaneous manifestations of lupus, with a focus on evidence for pediatric patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Cutaneous manifestations of SLE are common and may precede signs or symptoms of systemic disease. Early recognition and initiation of therapy improves quality of life by reducing cutaneous disease activity. Antimalarials are first line for moderate-to-severe disease. Photo protection is a critical component of therapy and perhaps the only modifiable risk factor for SLE. Recognition of cutaneous vasculopathy may reduce mortality from vascular occlusion. SUMMARY: There is a critical need for better understanding of pathogenesis, risk factors and outcomes in cutaneous lupus to determine optimal treatment and surveillance strategies. Correlation of clinical phenotypes with biomarkers may help to stratify patients, optimize targeted interventions, and influence prognosis.