Survey of common cutaneous lesions in healthy infants at the well baby clinic.

OBJECTIVE: Survey the prevalence of cutaneous disorders in infants at the well baby clinic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This prospective study was conducted on 500 infants, aged between 1 month and 1-year-old. RESULTS: Mongolian spot and nevus simplex were the two most common congenital lesions in the present study. Seborrheic dermatitis was the most frequent skin findings arisen in infancy (apart from the neonatal period) and was on the third rank in overall cutaneous lesions. CONCLUSION: Skin infections especially tinea versicolor were easily missed.

Seroprevalence of tetanus antibody in the Thai population: a national survey.

Tetanus is a disease with high mortality and the most important measure for effective prevention is vaccination. Tetanus immunization has been introduced to Thailand's national immunization program for 30 years. Yet, the coverage and seroprevalence of tetanus antibody in vast parts of the population has not been assessed. This study has been performed on 1,277 subjects aged between 6 months and 60 years or above from four geographically distinct provinces of Thailand. Tetanus antibody levels were measured using a commercially available ELISA kit. Most of the Thai population had immunity against tetanus. The level of antibodies to tetanus, as demonstrated by the geometric mean titer of antibody (GMT) (and 95% confidence interval) was 2.62 (2.34-2.91) IU/ml. The highest and lowest GMT was found in subjects aged between 5 and 9 years, and above 60 years of age with GMT (and 95% confidence intervals) of 3.64 (3.34-3.96) and 1.24 (0.67-2.29) IU/ml respectively. The minimum protective level of antitoxin (>0.01 IU/ml) was detected in 99.7 % of subjects. More than 90% of subjects displayed durable antibody protection levels (DAPL) (> or = 1.0 IU/ml), except for subjects above the age of 60 years (82%). According to this study, the majority of the population expresses tetanus antibody levels that can confer long term protection. Yet, considering the lowest GMT and the highest incidence of tetanus cases found in subjects aged above 60 years, re-immunization should be targeted at this age group especially if they had sustained any tetanus-prone injury.

Efficacy of pulsed dyed laser (585 nm) in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum subtype 1.

Molluscum contagiosum is a common cutaneous disease that may be difficult to treat when there are multiple lesions; especially in children. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of pulsed dye laser (585 nm) in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in 20 children. In the treated group, 70.5% of lesions healed after the first treatment; the remaining 10.6% after the second treatment (2 weeks later). The overall cure rate was significantly different from the control group (p< 0.01). The therapy was also well tolerated. Only mild transient hypopigmentation and erythema were observed. None encountered infectious events. In conclusion, pulsed dye laser is a good alternative treatment for molluscum contagiosum due to high efficacy and mild transient side effects.

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy.

The authors report a case of acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy in an 8-month-old boy with a history of recent vaccination prior to the illness. He was well in general, apart from mild fever diarrhea, and the rash compatible with acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy; though, he had unusual trunk and mucosal involvement. The diagnosis was confirmed by the histopathological findings and direct immunofluorescence of the lesion. Complete resolution spontaneously occurred within 3 weeks.

Purpuric-like rash as cutaneous eruptions in parvovirus B19 infection in Thai infant.

An 8-month-old girl presented with fever, rash, and diarrhea. Physical examination revealed multiple well-circumscribed, brownish-black, purpuric-like rashes on the face, arms, and legs with cervical and suboccipital lymphadenopathy. Laboratory findings showed mild anemia with thrombocytopenia and positive polymerase chain reaction for parvovirus 819 DNA in the serum. The patient recovered uneventfully with symptomatic and supportive treatment. Since the infection can manifest in many dermatological patterns, it should also be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile illness with purpuric rash in children.

Ulcerated hemangiomas: clinical features and management.

Hemangioma is the most common tumor of infancy and ulceration is the most frequent complication of hemangioma. The purpose of this report was to review the clinical features and management of ulcerated hemangioma. A retrospective study of ulcerated hemangioma at the outpatient pediatric dermatology clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from 1992 to 2001 was performed. The medical records of 41 patients were reviewed. Twenty-eight females and 13 males were seen with a female/male ratio of 2.2: 1. Superficial hemangioma was the most common type (51%). Head and neck were the most frequently involved sites, affecting 21 cases (51%). Ulcerated hemangiomas were found on extremities, torso, and perineum of 9 patients (22%), 6 patients (15%) and 5 patients (12%), respectively. Ulceration was developed at a mean age of 3.9 months (range, 1-7 months). Conventional treatment with topical and/or systemic antibiotic was successfully used in 19 patients (46%). Oral prednisolone was used in 4 patients with large hemangiomas. The mean duration of treatment with oral prednisolone was 12 months. Flashlamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser (FPDL) was used in 16 patients who failed topical and/or systemic antibiotic. Fifteen patients (94%) healed within 1 to 3 treatments. Excision was done on a small superficial hemangioma on the cheek. In conclusion, head and neck were the most common sites of ulcerated hemangioma. Topical antibiotics and/or systemic antibiotics could be used as the first-line management of ulcerated hemangioma. FPDL was very effective in the treatment of ulcerated hemangioma.