IADVL SIG Pediatric Dermatology (Academy) Recommendations on Hemangioma of Infancy (HOI).

Hemangioma of infancy (HOI) is a benign vascular proliferation. Though resolution is the norm, potential complications make an accurate diagnosis and early management of importance. The Indian association of dermatologists, venereologists and leprologists (IADVL) special interest group (SIG) paediatric dermatology in association with IADVL academy did an extensive analysis of the literature on the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of HOI published between 2010 and 2021. Online meetings were conducted from February 2021 to March 2022 to reach a consensus on these recommendations which are made from an Indian perspective.

Severity grading of dermatological emergencies based on comorbidities and systemic involvement: An observational study.

Dermatological emergency is defined as any urgent/immediate care. Dermatological conditions compromise about 5-8% of all cases presenting to the emergency department. A grading system can help dermatologist's and allied medical personnel to triage a patient accordingly. Currently no severity grading for dermatological emergencies is available. All patients seen in OPD for dermatological consultations requiring urgent interventions were included. Detailed history and clinical examination were done. Patients were assessed according to the onset, symptoms, distribution, examination, body surface area percentage and mucosal involvement. The severity was graded separately based on comorbidities and systemic involvement. Grade I was no comorbidity or systemic involvement. Grade II was 1 comorbidity or systemic involvement. Grade III was 2 comorbidities or systemic involvement. Grade IV was > 2 comorbidities or multiorgan involvement. Interesting emergency cases observed in Covid period were noted. There were 202 cases, the most common age group was 19-64 (69.8%). Male (49%) and females (51%) had equal preponderance. Most common emergency was acute urticaria with or without angioedema (25.24%). There were 113 (55.94%) inpatients and 89 (44.05%) were outpatients. Acute on chronic onset (34.5%), pain (41.6%), vesicles (30.1%), erosion (23.9%), ulcers (9.7%) and more than 50% body surface area involvement (64.6%) were seen more in admitted cases. Grade I was most common for both comorbidities and systemic involvement. However, grades II, III and IV were higher in admitted cases for both grading systems. The presence of comorbidities and systemic involvement increases the severity of dermatological emergency. Six patients had relapse. Seven patients had methotrexate toxicity. The proposed grading system based on comorbidities and systemic involvement helps to assess the severity of dermatological emergencies.

Non-venereal genital dermatoses and their impact on quality of life-A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Lesions on the external genitalia could be venereal or non-venereal. Non-venereal genital dermatoses are common and may cause considerable anxiety to patients, particularly if noticed after sexual intercourse. However, this aspect has not been studied much till now. OBJECTIVES: Our study proposes to describe the profile of non-venereal genital dermatoses and determine their impact on quality of life both social and sexual, using the dermatology life quality index questionnaire. METHODS: We recruited patients aged 18 years and above, who were diagnosed to have non-venereal genital dermatoses during the study period. A detailed history was obtained and clinical examination done with relevant investigations when necessary. The dermatology life quality index was assessed and graded in all patients using Finlay dermatology life quality index questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients with non-venereal genital dermatoses were seen and 25 different dermatoses were observed. Men 242(82.6%) outnumbered women. The commonest age group affected was 31-50 years 144(50%). Chronic inflammatory dermatoses 135(41.6%) constituted the majority of cases. Scrotal dermatitis 46(15.7%), lichen simplex chronicus 37(12.6%), vitiligo 31(10.6%) were seen most frequently. In the study group, 111(37.9%) patients had moderate and 133(45.4%) had large impact on the quality of life. Erectile dysfunction was seen in 48(19.8%) men and 9(3.7%) had premature ejaculation. A significant effect on dermatology life quality index was found with increasing age (P = 0.007), positive marital status (P = 0.006), history of unprotected sex (P < 0.001), history of recurrences (P = 0.002) and venereophobia. (P = 0.008). LIMITATIONS: The number of women in the study group was less compared to men and we could not ascertain the type of sexual dysfunction in them. CONCLUSION: Non-venereal genital dermatoses are common, more so among men. They have a significant impact on the quality of life of the individual. Recognizing and addressing this problem will help in managing these patients effectively.

Segmental Zoster Paresis of Lower Thoracic Segment Presenting as Pseudohernia-A Report of Three Cases.

Segmental zoster paresis is characterized by focal motor weakness affecting the myotome corresponding to the dermatomal distribution of the rash. Clinically, it presents as pseudohernia when it involves abdominal wall muscles. We report three cases of segmental zoster paresis presenting as pseudohernia of abdominal wall. All patients developed asymptomatic bulge in anterolateral side of abdomen between 10 and 15 days after appearance of vesicles. All patients developed post-herpetic neuralgia. One patient developed pseudo-obstruction of colon due to visceral involvement. Segmental zoster paresis of lower thoracic spinal segment often goes unnoticed due to its asymptomatic nature.

Facial involvement in Indian psoriatic patients and its association with disease severity and metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Face was often thought to be spared in psoriasis possibly due to the protective effect of sebum and low-dose ambient ultraviolet radiation exposure. Some have suggested that facial involvement is common and indicates disease severity. There is a paucity of data on this, particularly from India. Psoriatics have a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and patients with severe disease are at greater risk. OBJECTIVE: A study of the frequency and type of facial involvement in Indian psoriatic patients and its association with disease severity and metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A total of 250 consecutive psoriatic patients were screened and these yielded 188 patients with facial involvement. Facial psoriatics were divided into peripherofacial, centrofacial and mixed facial types. Disease severity was assessed using whole body, scalp, facial psoriasis area severity index scores and nail area psoriasis severity index scores. Patients were evaluated for the presence of metabolic syndrome using NCEP-III criteria. All parameters were compared both between facial and nonfacial psoriatics and between cases with different types of face involvement. RESULTS: The mean age (P = 0.04) and age of onset of disease (P = 0.02) was lower and median whole-body psoriasis area severity index score was higher in psoriatics with facial involvement (P < 0.001) than those without. No significant association was found between facial involvement and metabolic syndrome. Mixed facial was the commonest type of facial involvement and there was a significant association of mixed facial involvement with increased total body psoriasis area severity index scores (P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: Dietary habits, physical activity level, family history of diabetes and obesity were not enquired for in our patients. Centrofacial cases were too few in number, hence statistical comparisons are not relevant. CONCLUSION: Facial involvement in psoriatics is associated with severe disease but not metabolic syndrome. Mixed facial type might be considered a marker of overall psoriasis disease severity in the Indian population.

Recommendations for Pediatric Dermatology Practice during COVID-19 Pandemic.

The current scenario of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a huge disease burden worldwide affecting people across all age groups. Although children get infected by coronavirus, they are less commonly affected. Only 2% of cases are being reported among patients aged less than 20 years of age and childhood cases constitute around 1-5% of them. Moreover, they are less likely to be seriously affected when compared to adults, with more than 90% of them being either asymptomatic or having mild to moderate disease. This could be attributed to less exposure or sensitivity to COVID-19, varying immune response mechanisms, differences in the expression/function of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 receptors or higher antibody levels to viruses owing to exposures to multiple respiratory infections, protective role of measles and BCG vaccine, and few associated comorbidities. However, children with certain underlying medical conditions like cardiac or respiratory disease, diabetes, immunodeficiency disorders, cancer or on immunosuppressants may be at a higher risk for developing severe disease.

Association of Acanthosis Nigricans and Insulin Resistance in Indian Children and Youth - A HOMA2-IR Based Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The American Diabetes Association includes acanthosis nigricans (AN) as an indicator of diabetes mellitus risk in overweight youth entering puberty. Some argue that AN is not an independent predictor of insulin resistance (IR), when body mass index (BMI) is controlled for. There is a paucity of studies on the association of AN and IR among children and young adults from India. Homeostatic model assessment-IR (HOMA2-IR), a computerized updated model, which is supposed to be superior to HOMA1-IR, has rarely been used for quantification of IR. METHODS: Sixty cases (irrespective of BMI), aged 2-24 years with AN, and 30 age- and sex-matched normal weight controls were included. A thorough clinical examination and grading of AN was done. BMI, fasting glucose levels, and fasting insulin levels were measured for all. HOMA-IR calculator V.2.2.3 was used to calculate IR. Those with HOMA 2-IR >1.8 were considered insulin-resistant. Lifestyle modifications were advised for patients with IR. RESULTS: The mean HOMA2-IR value in cases and controls was 2.422 and 1.322, respectively, which was statistically significant. Overweight and obese cases had 2.5 and 11.25 times higher risk of having IR, respectively, by logistic regression. The association of AN with IR was found to be statistically significant in normal weight cases when compared with controls (P = 0.045). Grade 4 of neck severity (P = 0.007), Grade 3 of neck texture (P = 0.001), and Grade 4 of axillary severity (P = 0.001) of AN were found to be significantly associated with IR. LIMITATIONS: The relatively small sample size may not reflect the accuracy of AN as a marker of IR. CONCLUSION: Acanthosis nigricans is associated with IR in both normal and obese. We propose that all children, adolescents, and youth with AN be screened for IR irrespective of BMI. Early identification and prompt lifestyle interventions may prevent or delay the onset of diabetes later.

Appearance of Verruca Over Linear Verrucous Epidermal Nevus - An Example of Locus Minoris Resistentiae: A Report of Three Cases.

Locus minoris resistentiae (LMR) is a site of the body that offers lesser resistance than the rest of the body to the onset of disease. It can be congenital or acquired. Areas of cutaneous mosaicism such as epidermal nevi can act as congenital LMR, leading to the development of inflammatory skin conditions or skin tumors on these. The occurrence of an infectious condition such as warts over nevi is rare. We report three cases of verrucous epidermal nevi (VENs) with the development of verrruca overlying the nevus later in life. The three patients had VEN on forehead, preauricular, and presternal area, respectively, since birth, with development of a warty lesion overlying these a few months before presenting to us. Skin biopsy and histopathological examination of the linear verrucous lesion were suggestive of VEN with hyperkeratosis, thickened epidermis, and papillomatosis. There was no evidence of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis or increased sebaceous glands in the dermis. Biopsy of the new warty lesion showed findings of verruca in all the patients. With the above findings, a diagnosis of verruca superimposed on linear VEN was made in all the three cases. The warts were removed by electrofulguration. Several acquired skin disorders, including inflammatory dermatoses, adnexal disorders, and neoplasms, have been shown to occur superimposed on epidermal or sebaceous nevus. Ours is probably the first ever description of a wart occurring on VEN.

Antihypertensives in dermatology Part II - Cutaneous adverse reactions to antihypertensives.

Antihypertensive drugs are prescribed frequently and can cause cutaneous adverse reactions. The exact incidence and frequency of these reactions are unknown. Multiple antihypertensive drug consumption has contributed to a substantial increase in the number of cutaneous adverse reactions to them. Thus, there is a need for dermatologists and physicians to be aware of the wide range of available antihypertensives and the type of reactions that can be expected. This review article focuses on the various clinical presentations that have been implicated or associated with them. The diagnosis and management have been discussed in brief.

Antihypertensives in dermatology Part I - Uses of antihypertensives in dermatology.

Hypertension is a global health problem. Antihypertensives are the mainstay of treatment for hypertension. Some of them were accidentally found to be useful in alopecias and infantile hemangiomas and have now become standard treatment for these conditions as well. Antihypertensives are also being studied for other dermatological indications, where they have shown promising efficacy. This review focuses on the dermatological indications for antihypertensives, discussing the drugs that have been tried, as well as their efficacy, dosage, duration of therapy, and adverse effects.

Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa showing good response to low-dose thalidomide - a report of two cases.

Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa is a rare distinctive variant of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa characterized by intense pruritus, lichenified plaques in linear distribution, and anonychia. It is a difficult condition to treat and causes a great deal of distress. The present authors report two cases showing good response to low-dose thalidomide, with clinical and symptomatic improvement. The exact mechanism of action is not yet clear.