Lichen Striatus on the Arm of a 7-Year-Old Girl
October 5th 2009These hypopigmented, mildly pruritic lesions on the right arm of a 7-year-old African American girl appeared several weeks ago. She had no other lesions and was otherwise healthy. The diagnosis on the basis of the clinical presentation was lichen striatus.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura in an 18-Year-Old Boy
October 2nd 2009This palpable, nontender, nonblanching rash had developed on the elbows of an 18-year-old boy and spread to the ankles and feet. The rash was accompanied by moderate abdominal pain associated with episodes of nonbloody emesis that did not change with eating or bowel movements. Diffuse joint pain developed the day after the rash appeared.
Unusual Lesions-Abuse or Accidental Injury?
October 1st 2009Because of the presence of unusual skin findings, a 3-year-old African American girl was evaluated for possible child abuse. The father, the primary guardian, reported that his daughter had returned home from her mother's residence 2 days before-a day earlier than planned. According to the father, the child was crying and had skin lesions, which initially appeared white and then darkened over the course of the next day or two.
Bone Pain, Bruising, and Epistaxisin a Young Boy
October 1st 2009A 5-year-old boy was brought for evaluation of ongoing thrombocytopenia before undergoing adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea. The child had been given a diagnosis of "growing pains" after frequent evaluation for leg pain over the past 2 years.
Two-Year-Old Boy With Recalcitrant “Diaper Rash”
October 1st 2009A 2-year-old boy brought for pediatric dermatology consultation because of the "worst diaper rash in the world." Mother reported that the rash had been present for a year and was asymptomatic. She had been using topical barrier creams, corticosteroids, and antifungals to treat the area. Child had also received a course of oral antibiotics. Occasional improvement of rash noted but never complete resolution. Patient had no other medical problems. Family history noncontributory.
Southern Tick–Associated Rash Illness
September 23rd 2009In early summer, an 8-year-old boy from rural central Virginia was brought for evaluation of a rash on his buttock. He had noticed the rash that morning, when it became pruritic. The father had removed a tick from the area about 10 days earlier. The child denied fever, headache, vomiting, fatigue, arthralgia, myalgia, and other symptoms.
Recommended Vitamin D Intake in Children: Reasons for the Recent Increase
September 22nd 2009The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently doubled the amount of vitamin D that it recommends all infants, children, and adolescents receive each day-from 200 to 400 IU. Also new is the academy's recommendation that vitamin D supplementation begin as soon after birth as possible. Supplementation is recommended in infants who do not receive 400 IU per day from formula.
Persistent Ankle Mass in an Otherwise Healthy 9-Year-Old Girl
August 31st 2009An apparently healthy 9-year-old girl noted to have left ankle mass during well-child checkup. Her last well-child visit was 3 years earlier. Medical history unremarkable. She denied fevers, weight loss, night sweats, and chills. No family history of bone deformities or growth disturbances.
Rashes and Fever in Children: Sorting Out the Potentially Dangerous, Part 3
August 26th 2009Few clinical scenarios engender as much anxiety as the sudden onset of rash and fever in a child. However, the diagnostic possibilities can be quickly narrowed-and the likelihood of potentially serious disease can be assessed-with a triage system that involves classifying the presenting symptoms into 1 of 3 groups.
Pityriasis Lichenoides Et Varioliformis Acuta in a 7-Year-Old Boy
July 27th 2009A 7-year-old boy was brought for evaluation of a nonpruritic, nonpainful, evolving polymorphic rash that began on the torso and spread to the extremities, face, palms, and soles over a 2-week period. He had been otherwise healthy and had no history of constitutional symptoms.
Does this yellow-brown plaque on a young girl's cheek require removal?
July 1st 2009The parents of this 6-year-old girl expressed concern about a yellow-brown arciform plaque on their daughter's cheek that has been present since birth. Although it has remained stable throughout her early childhood, her parents wonder whether it may become cancerous later on. Would you recommend removing the lesion?
Juvenile Plantar Dermatosis: Readers’ Remedies
June 2nd 2009In his Dermclinic case in the March 2009 issue of CONSULTANT FOR PEDIATRICIANS (page 77), Dr Kirk Barber discusses juvenile plantar dermatosis (JPD). A very simple treatment for this condition is the use of a home foot spa, in which wax is melted and the foot immersed according to the directions included with the device. Following the wax immersion procedure, the patient should apply a good lotion. JPD can be remedied or at least controlled with this treatment.
Traction Alopecia From Atopic Dermatitis
June 2nd 2009A 5-month-old Asian boy was brought for evaluation of hair loss and a red, scaly rash on the scalp and body. The rash had not responded to hydrocortisone 2.5% ointment. There was a family history of asthma, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis. His mother had Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Managing Asthma in Children, Part 2: Achieving and Maintaining Control
June 2nd 2009Asthma exacerbations continue to cause a significant number of emergency care visits and hospitalizations among children.1 In “Managing Asthma in Children, Part 1” (CONSULTANT FOR PEDIATRICIANS, May 2009, page 168), we reviewed the epidemiology, risk factors, and diagnosis of asthma in children. We also discussed how to make an initial assessment of asthma severity. In Part 2, we review the key components of treatment.
Why Does Facial Rash Flare When Treatment Stops?
June 2nd 2009An itchy rash developed around the nose in this 8-year-old boy. At first it responded to the application of a midstrength corticosteroid cream. However, the rash returned promptly after the cream was stopped and then spread to the perioral area. It is no longer responding to treatment with the topical corticosteroid that initially was effective.