Antonella Greco

Cutaneous neonatal lupus: a case report and review of the literature

At the age of two months, a Caucasian male infant was referred to our Dermatology Unit at Meyer Pediatric Hospital because of a 3-week history of cutaneous erythematous annular lesions increasing in size and involving the left cheek, scalp, retroauricular areas, and abdominal skin (Figs. 1–3). The mother referred two previous spontaneous abortions. After an uncomplicated 39-week gestation period, an elective Cesarean section was performed. Weight at birth was 2.325 kg, and Apgar score was 9. Both mother and father were apparently healthy. At physical examination, cutaneous lesions were confirmed in the absence of other systemic manifestations. Laboratory findings did not show signs of inflammation. We diagnosed neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) and, therefore, cardiologic examination with ECG and echocardiography were performed but did not show abnormalities. The mother had a positive autoantibody profile for ANA (1 : 2560), anti-SSA/Ro 52, anti-SSB/La, and anti-U1RNP. She was only on hydroxychloroquine therapy. The results of the autoantibody profile of the infant confirmed positivity for ANA, ENA SSA-Ro 52, SSB-La, and U1RNP. After two months, cutaneous lesions had disappeared. At the age of six months, the boy was still asymptomatic, ECG was normal, and autoantibody profile had normalized.

A further experience of propranolol for severe infantile hemangiomas of the face: an observational study

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common proliferating embrional tumors of infancy, which are constituted by endothelial cell hyperproliferation. The authors want to report their observations of further 14 patients suffering from complicated IHs involving the facial district who were treated with propranolol. 14 patients, with ages between 3 and 12 months, completed a cycle of treatment with propanolol. The observational study aimed at focusing IHs involving the facial district. The treatment with propranolol showed good to very good results in the major part of the treated young patients. The authors want to report their experience and add more data in the confirmation of the use of β‐blockers for IH (either in efficacy or in safety profile), focusing on the efficacy of propanolol when IHs involve the face.

Bullous pemphigoid in infant post vaccination: Myth or reality?

Bullous pemphigoid is rare in children and even rarer in infants. By presenting two cases of bullous pemphigoid related by their temporal proximity with a previous episode of vaccination, it will be carefully discussed if a relationship is or is not possible. Our final conclusion is that the association is mostly a myth rather than a reality and bullous pemphigoid is not a contraindication to continue with the normal vaccination schedule of infants. It is important to know about this clinical entity in order to perform adequate treatment that avoids any worsening or future relapse of this disease.

Aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma: a sign of cystic fibrosis early in life

changes does not alter the prognosis. Balloon cell melanoma, however, is said to have a particular propensity for multiple skin and subcutaneous metastases. In comparison with previous reports of balloon cell melanoma, the present patient demonstrated a greater proportion of balloon cells, melanin granules, and atypical features. As far as we know, reports of primary cutaneous balloon cell melanoma are rare; hence, we report a case of this very rare variant of melanoma.

Aplasia cutis with ‘hair collar sign’

A 2-month-old boy was referred to our paediatric dermatological department with two adjacent oval patches of 2×3 cm in diameter, covered by a thin, atrophic, translucent membrane. The larger lesion was surrounded by tufts of darker terminal hair, that were horizontally arranged and oriented towards the periphery of the lesion, starting from the vertex (figure 1). There were no palpable underlying bone abnormalities. The infant was otherwise healthy. A MRI …

Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Pernicious Anaemia, Vitiligo and Scleroatrophic Lichen in a boy with short-chain acylCoA dehydrogenase deficiency.

Short-chain acylCoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) deficiency is a rare mitochondrial disorder involving the β-oxidation of fatty acylCoA compounds in chains of 4–6 carbons. Unlike other mitochondrial disorders, cases involving autoimmune diseases have not been described. We report a 15-year-old boy with SCAD deficiency who suffered from pernicious anaemia, vitiligo, scleroatrophic lichen and autoimmune thyroiditis. As has been reported in other mitochondrial disorders, we hypothesised that autoimmune diseases are also present in SCAD deficiency. Furthermore, we discuss the possible pathogenetic relationship between these diseases.

Sun-Protection Behavior, Pubertal Development and Menarche: Factors Influencing the Melanocytic Nevi Development—The Results of an Observational Study of 1,512 Children

Observational studies consistently show that melanocytic nevus prevalence increases with age and that phenotypic traits are significantly associated with nevus count in children. An observational study of 1,512 children and adolescents from 2010 to 2013 was conducted. Study dermatologists counted the full body, arm, and facial nevi of each participant. Children and their parents were asked to complete a survey to gather data on personal characteristics, pubertal development, and early-life sun exposure. The main aim of the study was to establish pediatric nevus prevalence and its relationship with age, phenotype, sex, menarche, early-life sun exposure, and sun-protection behaviors. Females had a significantly lower nevus count compared with males, but this sex-related difference was significantly modified by menarche. Sun exposure and sun-protection habits were all significantly associated with nevus count; in particular, children who used sunscreen with a sun-protection factor > 30 had a lower nevus count compared with sun-protection factor ≤ 30 sunscreen users. This study shows that sex, menarche status, and sun-protection practices significantly influence nevus count in this pediatric population.