Evolution of incidence of chilblain-like lesions in children during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought innumerable reports of chilblains. The relation between pernio-like acral eruptions and COVID-19 has not been fully elucidated because most reported cases have occurred in patients with negative microbiological tests for SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: A retrospective study of 49 cases of chilblains seen during the first year of the pandemic in a children's hospital in Madrid, Spain. The incidence of these skin lesions was correlated with the number of COVID-19 admissions and environmental temperatures. Patients were separated into two groups depending on the day of onset (strict lockdown period vs. outside the lockdown period). RESULTS: Most chilblains cases presented during the first and third waves of the pandemic, paralleling the number of COVID-19 admissions. The first wave coincided with a strict lockdown, and the third wave coincided with the lowest ambient seasonal temperatures of the year. Systemic symptoms preceding chilblains were more frequent in the first wave (45.8% vs. 8.0%, p = .002), as was the co-occurrence with erythema multiforme-like lesions (16.7% vs. 0%, p = .033). Laboratory test and skin biopsies were performed more frequently in the first wave (75.0% vs. 12.0%, p < .001; and 25.0% vs. 0%, p = .007; respectively). Five patients developed recurrent cutaneous symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: An increased incidence of chilblains coincided not only with the two major waves of the pandemic, but also with the strict lockdown period in the first wave and low seasonal temperatures during the third wave. Both increased sedentary behaviors and cold environmental temperatures may have played an additive role in the development of COVID-19-related chilblains.

Mucocutaneous manifestations in children hospitalized with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous manifestations in hospitalized children with SARS-CoV-2 have not been studied systematically. OBJECTIVE: To describe the mucocutaneous involvement in pediatric patients with COVID-19 admitted to a pediatric institution in Madrid (Spain), located in a zone reporting among the highest prevalence of COVID-19 in Europe. METHODS: A descriptive, analytical study was conducted on a series of 50 children hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and November 30, 2020. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients presented with mucocutaneous symptoms: 18 patients with macular and/or papular exanthem, 17 with conjunctival hyperemia, and 9 with red cracked lips or strawberry tongue. Eighteen patients fulfilled criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Patients with mucocutaneous involvement tended to be older and presented to the emergency department with poor general status and extreme tachycardia, higher C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels, and lower lymphocyte counts than patients without skin signs. Mucocutaneous manifestations pose a higher risk of admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (odds ratio, 10.24; 95% confidence interval, 2.23-46.88; P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Children hospitalized with COVID-19 frequently had mucocutaneous involvement, with most symptoms fulfilling criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Patients with an exanthem or conjunctival hyperemia at admission have a higher probability of pediatric intensive care admission than patients without mucocutaneous symptoms.

Suspected COVID-19-related reticulated purpura of the soles in an infant.

A growing number of skin lesions during the COVID-19 pandemic are being recognized. Acral ischemic lesions identical to chilblains are most typical in children and young adults. We report an infant girl, aged 1 month and 29 days, with a peculiar reticulated purpuric eruption on her soles, with positive immunohistochemistry for SARS-CoV-2 in the endothelia of dermal blood vessels. The patient had an excellent outcome without specific therapy.

Erythema multiforme-like lesions in children and COVID-19.

During examination of cases of chilblains in children and adolescents, we identified four patients who also showed skin lesions similar to erythema multiforme (EM). They had no other known triggers for EM. One of them had a positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2, while the other three were negative. Skin biopsies from two patients showed features not typical of EM, such as deep perivascular and perieccrine infiltrate and absence of necrosis of keratinocytes. Immunohistochemistry for SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 spike protein showed granular positivity in endothelial cells and epithelial cells of eccrine glands in both biopsies. All patients had an excellent outcome, and had minimal or no systemic symptoms. The coincidence of EM, a condition commonly related to viruses, and chilblains in the setting of COVID-19, and the positivity for SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by immunohistochemistry strongly suggest a link between EM-like lesions and SARS-CoV-2.

Chilblains in children in the setting of COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Different skin manifestations of COVID-19 are being reported. Acral lesions on the hands and feet, closely resembling chilblains, have been recognized during the peak incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 22 children and adolescents with chilblain-like lesions seen over a short period of time in the Emergency Department of a children's hospital during the peak incidence of COVID-19 in Madrid, Spain. RESULTS: All patients had lesions clinically consistent with chilblains of the toes or feet, with three also having lesions of the fingers. Pruritus and mild pain were the only skin symptoms elicited, and only 10 had mild respiratory and/or GI symptoms. None had fever. Coagulation tests, hemogram, serum chemistry, and lupus anticoagulant were normal in all patients tested. One out of 16 tested cases had elevated D-dimer results, but without systemic symptoms or other laboratory anomalies. SARS-CoV-2 PCR tested in 19 cases was positive in just one case. Skin biopsies obtained in six patients were consistent with chilblains. On follow-up, all cases showed spontaneous marked improvement or complete healing. CONCLUSION: Acute chilblains were observed during COVID-19 pandemic in children and teenagers. It is a mildly symptomatic condition with an excellent prognosis, usually requiring no therapy. Etiopathogenesis remains unknown.