ABSTRACT
Acute hemorrhagic edema of childhood (AHEC) is a distinctive entity among the group of the leukocytoclastic vasculitides in childhood. AHEC is characterized by ecchymotic patches in a cockade pattern and a tender inflammatory edema on the face or upper extremities in children younger than 3 years old. It is usually confined to the skin and runs a benign course. We report a case of AHEC preceded by varicella. A 3-year-old boy presented with a 4-day history of medallion-like purpuric patches on both arms and the abdomen, along with varicella lesions. The purpuric lesions resolved completely without any complication after one week, following the resolution of the varicella. AHEC is an immune complex-mediated vasculitis that can be preceded by infection, and varicella might be a triggering factor in this case.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Male , Abdomen , Arm , Chickenpox , Edema , Skin , Upper Extremity , VasculitisABSTRACT
Acute hemorrhagic edema of childhood is an uncommon form of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis that occurs in children younger than 3 years. This is characterized by tender edema and rosette-shaped purpuric patches that generally resolve without intervention. We describe a 26-month-old boy with acute hemorrhagic edema of childhood, in whom the disease appeared after an acute respiratory illness. Skin lesions presented with acral edema, and rosette-shaped purpuric plaques on the face and limbs. Some authors consider the disease as a purely cutaneous form of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura, but it is more likely that acute hemorrhagic edema of childhood could be regarded as a distinct entity within leukocytoclastic vasculitis.