Common Paediatric Skin Conditions & Birthmarks

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Introduction

Learning to recognize common skin conditions is a skill that is extremely valuable in all areas of medicine. In paediatrics in particular it is important to have the ability to identify skin lesions, as such knowledge will enable you to both recognize potentially significant systemic diseases, such as meningococcemia or chicken pox, and reassure concerned parents. The skin serves as a critical barrier to infection and dehydration and as such it is important to keep in mind that disease or impairment of the skin’s normal function can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in infants as they are more vulnerable to heat loss, dehydration and infection¹. Further, as skin disease is so very common, with approximately 1/3 of visits to family practitioners being for dermatologic concerns, you will certainly encounter skin disease during your training and career, regardless of what specialty you pursue^1,2.

This module aims to give you a quick and effective guide to recognizing and dealing with some of the more common paediatric skin conditions and birthmarks that you are likely to encounter. However, this is by no means a complete list. If there is any uncertainty regarding the diagnosis of a skin lesion you are encouraged to consult a specialist.

To review the approach to identification and description of skin lesions please refer to the Approach to Skin Lesions module on this site.

10 COMMON PAEDIATRIC SKIN CONDITIONS

1) Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Definition

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a common inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by intense itching (pruritis), hence it is commonly referred to as “the itch that rashes^{2, 3}.” The condition is associated with atopy, which refers to a predisposition toward developing hypersensitivity reactions such eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis. Atopic dermatitis has a strong familial association and is very common in kids, affecting 5-20% of children worldwide. In most cases onset of the condition occurs before five years of age^{2, 4}. The severity of the condition may wax and wane with most patients having three or more flare ups annually⁵.

Clinical Presentation

Pruritis is typically the most outstanding clinical feature and secondary lesions due to chronic rubbing and scratching are very common^{2, 4}. The appearance of lesions can be varied and may present with any of the following:

xerosis (dry, scaly skin)
ill-defined erythema
small coalescing edematous papules or vesicles
lichenification and/or excoriations (secondary to relentless scratching)
crusting (if secondarily infected)

Three age-related stages of atopic dermatitis have been identified^{2, 4}:

Infantile (2 months – 2 years)

Often pruritic, red, scaly or crusted lesions
Facial and extensor distribution predominates, especially cheeks and scalp
Entire body may be affected, however diaper area is commonly spared

Childhood (2-12 years)

Greater lichenification and excoriations
Often has a flexural distribution – antecubital and popliteal fossae, wrists and ankles

Adult (>12 years)

Typically lichenified and more localized (primarily to the hands)
Flexural areas commonly involved
The condition generally improves with age and may remit by early adulthood

Pathogenesis

Though the specific cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown two major theories exist:

The leading theory suggests that atopic dermatitis may result from impairment of the skins function as a protective barrier due to intrinsic structural or functional abnormalities of the skin. Thus the disease evolves as an outside-in process⁴.
The more traditional theory revolves around the idea of immune dysfunction in which immune cells modulate an inflammatory response to environmental factors. More recently, the association of allergies and asthma in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis has been called into question⁴.

Diagnosis⁴

Atopic dermatitis is a clinical diagnosis. Diagnosis requires:

Evidence of pruritis (eg. scratching or rubbing reported by parent)
Plus three or more of the following:

Involvement of skin creases (antecubital or popliteal fossae, ankles, neck, eyes)
Dry skin within the past year
Visible involvement of flexural surfaces (cheeks, forehead, outer extremities)
Symptoms beginning in a child before two years age (this criterion not used for children under four).

If diagnosis is uncertain, referral to a specialist is recommended.

Treatment⁶

Avoidance of irritating factors
Emollients and moisturizers to re-establish the cutaneous permeability barrier
Topical glucocorticoids (creams or ointments)
Topical immunomodulators (eg. Tacrolimus)
Antibiotics if staphylococcus infection
Oral antihistamines for sedation & control of itching

2) Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap)⁷

Greasy yellow scale on erythematous base
Common on scalp, eyebrows, ears, diaper area & in skin folds
Affected regions may also develop fissures, weeping & maceration
May persist until 1 year of age
Specific cause unknown
Requires no treatment, however, anti-seborrheic shampoos or topical steroids may speed resolution

3) Transient Neonatal Pustular Melanosis^5,8

Occurs in 4% of infants, more common in dark skinned infants
Typically present at birth
2-5mm pustules with hyperpigmented, non-erythematous base
Over time develops central crust & leaves hyperpigmented macules with collarette of white scale
Cause unknown
Benign & self-limited
Pustular lesions resolve within 24-48 hours, hyperpigmented macules fade over weeks/months

4) Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum ^5,9

Most common rash in infants, seen in up to 50% of newborns
Begins as blotchy macular erythema
Progresses to pustular/papular rash over trunk, face & extremities
Usually appears on 2nd/3rd day of life, can appear as late as 2-3 weeks
Distinguished from infection by lack of tenderness, warmth, or induration
Cause unknown
Self-resolving, typically by 5-7 days after appearance, usually by 2 weeks age
Requires no treatment

5) Miliaria/Heat Rash/Prickly Heat⁸

1-3mm erythematous papules (miliaria rubra), pustules (miliaria pustulosa) or crystal-clear vesicles resembling water droplets (miliaria crystallina)
Appear on face, scalp and trunk,
Due to obstruction of eccrine sweat ducts with leakage of sweat into dermis/epidermis
Occur secondary to heat (eg. warm climates) in skin areas with high heat generation or covered by clothing
Common, particularly in infants and children because of underdeveloped sweat glands
Self-resolving, can be hastened by removal of wraps/clothing

6) Milia^5,10

Common (50% of infants)
Multiple 1-3mm, white-yellow papules on nose, chin & cheeks
Keratin filled epithelial cysts
Usually appear in 1st month of life & may persist several months, but may occur at any age
Benign, self-resolving, require no treatment
Can be excised and contents expressed

7) Neonatal Acne^5,7,9

Open & closed comedones (papules/pustules), on face and upper trunk
Thought to be due to androgens (maternal & infant)
Common (20% of infants),
Often present at birth or develops in second to third week of life
Self-resolving, usually by three months age, require no treatment

8. Impetigo^7,10

Contagious bacterial infection of epidermis
Can affect any skin region
Transmitted by direct contact with infected persons or fomites
Primary impetigo: more common in children, infection via minor breaks in skin
Secondary impetigo: any age, secondary infection of trauma/wounds
Clinical diagnosis, confirmed by gram stain or culture of crust or fluid from bullae
Clinical features:

Bullous impetigo

Always caused by S. aureus,
Can affect intact skin
Vesicles and flaccid bullae (large vesicles) contain clear yellow or slightly turbid fluid +/- surrounding erythema
Common in neonates and children <5 years
Systemic symptoms common

Nonbullous impetigo

More common than bullous
Usually due to S. aureus or S. pyogenes
Typically affects trauma sites
Scattered discrete 1-3cm lesions with honey-coloured crust and surrounding erythema
Most common around mouth/nose
Patients may have lymphadenopathy

Local infections treated with topical saline or aluminium acetate, then 2% mupirocin ointment
If systemic symptoms present, use beta-lactamase resistant antiobiotic eg. Cephalexin
If impetigo due to MRSA use Clindamycin

9) Diaper Rash

Please refer to Diaper Rash: Clinical Considerations and Evaluation

10）Acne in Teens

Please refer to Acne in Teens

COMMON BIRTHMARKS

1) Mongolian spots/Slate-grey nevus of childhood/dermal melanosis^5,10

Bluish grey patches over buttocks/back/legs
May look like bruises
Common in dark skinned infants
Due to atypical presence of melanocytes within the dermis
Tend to fade over 1st year of life, can occur in adulthood
Requires no treatment

2) Hemangioma of infancy/capillary hemangioma/Strawberry nevi^5,10

Raised pink/red/purple lesion, soft, compressible
Most common tumour of infancy; up to 10% in caucasians
Develop in first weeks of life
Represents clonal expansion of endothelial cells
Usually grow rapidly from 6 months – 1 year of age, up to 3 inches diam
Tend to fade/shrink with time, 50% by 5 years, 90% by 9 years, often disappearing completely
Treatment with steroids/interferon/laser indicated only if multiple, very large or interferes with function

3) Port-wine stain/Nevus flammeus¹⁰

Flat pink/red/purple patches, typically on face, neck, limbs
Present at birth
Can be any size, grow proportionately with child
May thicken or develop bumps
Social/emotional complications
Some association with glaucoma & seizures
Do not resolve, are permanent
Laser treatment may be an option
Former USSR head of state Mikhail Gorbachev has a prominent port-wine stain on his forehead

4) Salmon patch/Angel kiss/Stork bite/nevus flammeus nuchae^5,10

Minor vascular malformations – Macular stains
Flat, pink capillary hemagioma, often seen on eyelids, forehead & nape of neck
Occurs in up to 1/3 of all newborns
Clinical variant of portwine stain
Facial lesions usually fade over years, neck lesions may persist into adulthood
Harmless, no treatment required

Conclusion

As dermatological conditions are so common in the general population, you will find that familiarity with the common conditions is an invaluable tool in your medical career. This may be particularly so in paediatrics where significant systemic diseases may first become apparent by the clinicians recognition of characteristic skin lesions. When assessing a patient remember that it is important to bear in mind that the skin’s function as a barrier to infection is of paramount importance and as such any break in the skin or mucous membranes must be treated appropriately to avoid infection. This is especially true in infants who are innately more vulnerable.

References

1) Buxton, P. ABC Atlas of Dermatology, 4^th Ed (2003). BMJ Publishing, London.

2) Lui, H. Gross Anatomy/Pathology of the Skin and the Language of Dermatology. UBC Medicine Lecture (2010).

3) Yang, J., Brierley, Y., Hong, Chih-ho., Shapiro, J. & Lui, H. UBC DermWeb (2007). http://www.dermweb.com/teaching/. Accessed May 5, 2011.

4) Weston, W., Howe, W. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (eczema). UpToDate (2011). http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis-of-atopic-dermatitis-eczema?source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150#H12. Accessed September 5, 2011.

5) Lo, V., et al. “Chapter 5. Dermatology” (Chapter). Baxter, S. & McSheffrey, G. Toronto Notes 2010 26^th Ed: Pediatrics chapter (2010). University of Toronto. Toronto.

6) Weston, W., Howe, W. Treatment of atopic dermatitis. UpToDate (2011). http://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-atopic-dermatitis-eczema?source=see_link#H22. Accessed September 5, 2011.

7) Bonfante, G & Rosenau, A. “Chapter 134. Rashes in Infants and Children” (Chapter). Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski JS, Cline DM, Ma OJ, Cydulka RK, Meckler GD: Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 7e: http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6383200. Accessed September 13, 2011.

8) Fernandez, C & Smith M. “Chapter 102. Normal Skin Changes” (Chapter). In Richard P. Usatine, Mindy A. Smith, Heidi Chumley, E.J. Mayeaux, Jr., James Tysinger: The Color Atlas of Family Medicine: http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=8204245. Accessed September 13, 2011.

9) Doan, Q & Kissoon, N. “Chapter 111. Neonatal Emergencies and Common Neonatal Problems” (Chapter). Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski JS, Cline DM, Ma OJ, Cydulka RK, Meckler GD: Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 7e: http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6371090. Accessed September 13, 2011.

10) Wolff, K. & Johnson, A. Fitzpatrick’s Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology 6^th Ed (2009). Mcgraw-Hill. New York. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=45.
Images sourced with permission from

11) Bernard, A. & Lehmann, C. Dermatlas (2011). http://www.dermatlas.com/derm/. Accessed September 11,2011.

12) Bezzant, J. Dermatology Image Bank (2000). http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/derm/. Accessed September 10, 2011.

Acknowledgements

Written by: Magnus Macnab, UBC Medicine, Class of 2012

Edited by: Anne Marie Jekyll, MD (Pediatric Resident)

Common Paediatric Skin Conditions & Birthmarks

Introduction

10 COMMON PAEDIATRIC SKIN CONDITIONS

1) Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

2) Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap)⁷

3) Transient Neonatal Pustular Melanosis^5,8

4) Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum ^5,9

5) Miliaria/Heat Rash/Prickly Heat⁸

6) Milia^5,10

7) Neonatal Acne^5,7,9

8. Impetigo^7,10

9) Diaper Rash

10）Acne in Teens

COMMON BIRTHMARKS

1) Mongolian spots/Slate-grey nevus of childhood/dermal melanosis^5,10

2) Hemangioma of infancy/capillary hemangioma/Strawberry nevi^5,10

3) Port-wine stain/Nevus flammeus¹⁰

4) Salmon patch/Angel kiss/Stork bite/nevus flammeus nuchae^5,10

Conclusion

References

Acknowledgements

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Common Paediatric Skin Conditions & Birthmarks

Introduction

10 COMMON PAEDIATRIC SKIN CONDITIONS

1) Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

2) Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap)7

3) Transient Neonatal Pustular Melanosis5,8

4) Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum 5,9

5) Miliaria/Heat Rash/Prickly Heat8

6) Milia5,10

7) Neonatal Acne5,7,9

8. Impetigo7,10

9) Diaper Rash

10）Acne in Teens

COMMON BIRTHMARKS

1) Mongolian spots/Slate-grey nevus of childhood/dermal melanosis5,10

2) Hemangioma of infancy/capillary hemangioma/Strawberry nevi5,10

3) Port-wine stain/Nevus flammeus10

4) Salmon patch/Angel kiss/Stork bite/nevus flammeus nuchae5,10

Conclusion

References

Acknowledgements

Feedback: How useful was the above information?

Post Comment Click here to cancel reply.

2) Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cradle Cap)⁷

3) Transient Neonatal Pustular Melanosis^5,8

4) Erythema Toxicum Neonatorum ^5,9

5) Miliaria/Heat Rash/Prickly Heat⁸

6) Milia^5,10

7) Neonatal Acne^5,7,9

8. Impetigo^7,10

1) Mongolian spots/Slate-grey nevus of childhood/dermal melanosis^5,10

2) Hemangioma of infancy/capillary hemangioma/Strawberry nevi^5,10

3) Port-wine stain/Nevus flammeus¹⁰

4) Salmon patch/Angel kiss/Stork bite/nevus flammeus nuchae^5,10