ABSTRACT
Chilblain-like lesions (CLL) coinciding with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been described in the literature. Available reviews of the literature suggest that CLL are associated with younger age, an equal sex ratio, negative testing for SARS-CoV-2, and mild to no extracutaneous manifestations (ECM) associated with COVID-19 infection. This systematic review aims to provide a summary of reports of CLL associated with the early SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in children to clarify the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and resolution outcomes of these skin findings. Sixty-nine studies, published between May 2020 and January 2022, met inclusion criteria and were summarized in this review, representing 1,119 cases of CLL. Available data showed a slight male predominance (591/1002, 59%). Mean age was 13 years, ranging from 0 to 18 years. Most cases had no ECM (682/978, 70%). Overall, 70/507 (14%) of patients tested positive for COVID-19 using PCR and/or serology. In the majority the clinical course was benign with 355/415 (86%) of cases resolving, and 97/269 (36%) resolving without any treatment. This comprehensive summary of pediatric CLL suggests these lesions are rarely associated with COVID-19 symptoms or test positivity.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Chilblains , Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell , Humans , Male , Child , Adolescent , Female , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/complications , Chilblains/diagnosis , Chilblains/epidemiology , Pandemics , Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/diagnosis , Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/epidemiology , Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/complicationsABSTRACT
Chilblain-like lesions (CLL) coinciding with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been described. Previous systematic reviews suggest CLL are associated with younger age, an equal sex ratio, negative testing for SARS-CoV-2, and mild to no extracutaneous symptoms. A systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines on CLL coinciding with SARS-CoV-2 to clarify the demographic characteristics, clinical features, and resolution outcomes of these skin findings. One hundred twenty-eight studies, published between March 2020 and January 2022, met inclusion criteria and were summarized in this review, representing 4,982 cases of CLL. Available data showed a slight female predominance (55%, n = 2,471 of 4,472). The mean age was 25 years, ranging from 0 to 95 years. Most cases were not associated with extracutaneous signs and symptoms (63%, n = 1,649 of 2,636). Overall, 19% (n = 347 of 1,838) of patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using polymerase chain reaction, serology, or tissue biopsy. Clinical course was generally benign with 80% (n = 979 of 1,224) of cases resolving and 47% (n = 204 of 432) resolving without receiving treatment. This review provides a comprehensive summary of CLL associated with SARS-CoV-2. CLL occurred at a mean age of 25 years with a slight female predominance. The majority had negative COVID-19 testing, no extracutaneous signs and symptoms, and resolution without recurrence.