Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To report clinical features, response to treatment, and long-term follow-up of nail lichen planus in children. DESIGN: Retrospective study involving 15 children with nail lichen planus. SETTING: Outpatient consultation for nail disorders at the Department of Dermatology of the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: We diagnosed nail lichen planus in 15 children younger than 12 years, including 10 children with typical nail matrix lesions, 2 children with 20-nail dystrophy (trachyonychia), and 3 children with idiopathic atrophy of the nails. Only 2 of the 15 children had oral lichen planus; none had cutaneous lesions. A nail biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in all cases. INTERVENTION: Intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide, 0.5 to 1 mg/kg per month, was prescribed to children with typical nail lichen planus and prolonged from 3 to 6 months until the proximal half of the nail was normal. No treatment was prescribed to patients with 20-nail dystrophy or idiopathic atrophy of the nails. RESULTS: Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was effective in curing typical nail lichen planus. Two children experienced a recurrence of the disease during the follow-up. Recurrences were always responsive to therapy. The 2 children with 20-nail dystrophy improved without any therapy. Nail lesions caused by idiopathic atrophy of the nails remained unchanged during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Nail lichen planus in children is not rare but probably underestimated. It often presents with atypical clinical features such as 20-nail dystrophy or idiopathic atrophy of the nails.
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Authors | A Tosti, B M Piraccini, S Cambiaghi, M Jorizzo |
Journal | Archives of dermatology
(Arch Dermatol)
Vol. 137
Issue 8
Pg. 1027-32
(Aug 2001)
ISSN: 0003-987X [Print] United States |
PMID | 11493095
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Infant
- Lichen Planus
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Male
- Nail Diseases
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Retrospective Studies
- Time Factors
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