survey of erythrodermain in Iraqi patients

ABSTRACT

A total of 30 patients with erythroderma were included in this study. In the adult group [16 patients] the main aetiological factors were psoriasis 8 [50%], congenital icthyosiform erythroaderma 2 [12.5%], drugs 2 [12.5%], undetermined 2 [12.5%] other causes were lichen planus and internal malignancy 1 [6.25%] for each. In the childhood group [14 patients] the main etiological factors were; congenital icthyosiform erythroderma 5 [35.5%], infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis 4 [28.5%], psoriasis 3 [21.2%]. Others like staphylococcal scaled skin syndrome and Kwashiorker 1 [7.1%] for each. A special form of generalized pustular psoriasis was seen among patients of Samarra city which commonly causes erythrodermic picture affecting young adults and even might affect children. Histopathological examination on 12 skin biopsies was diagnostic of the underlying cause in 6[50%] of cases, and non-specific [chronic dermatitis like picture] in the others 6 patients