2023-11-01 21:00:21
Psoriasis is a inflammatory skin disease chronic course and affects 2-3% of the population. It is characterized by erythematous and scaly skin lesions. In childhood, on many occasions, it represents a diagnostic challenge due to its clinical overlap with other diseases, although early diagnosis is the key.
Epidemiology of childhood psoriasis
Pediatric psoriasis is a common disease, although data are limited. Around 1/3 of patients experience the onset of the disease in their first two decades of life, even a 2 percent before two yearswhich represents 4 percent of dermatological consultations in children under 16 years of age.
It is estimated that there is a prevalence of this disease in 1% of children and a increase in incidence in the last 40 years. Regardless of age, it affects boys and girls equally.
Main manifestations of the disease
The two most common clinical forms are plaque and guttate psoriasis. The lesions, considered individually, are papalas or erythematous plaques, with clear edges and a whitish scaling that is classically designated as micaceous.
Although, in childhood, they present certain peculiarities:
Facial, flexural and diaper area involvement are typical. Lesions can take a annular or serpinginous morphology and the isomorphic or Koebner phenomenon is frequent. Itching is a common symptom, as there is some overlap with eczema. Nail alterations are less common in cases of psoriasis in children.
Diagnosis of psoriasis in children
It is fundamentally clinical and is based on the morphology and distribution of lesions, although the existence of a family history can also support the diagnosis. In doubtful cases, a lesional skin biopsy will be performed for histopathological study.
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