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Linear skin lesions prevalent in children with Henoch-Schönlein syndrome

More than a quarter of pediatric patients with Henoch-Schönlein syndrome experienced linear skin lesions, according to recently published study results in JAMA Dermatology.

Although linear nonblanching skin lesions are common in psoriasis, lichen planus, vitiligo and many bullous dermatoses, the lesions have rarely been documented in patients with Henoch-Schönlein syndrome, an immunoglobulin A-dominant leukocytoclastic small vessel vasculitis, according to researchers in Italy and Switzerland.

The researchers conducted a prospective case study of 31 children (median age, 6.2 years; 19 boys) with Henoch-Schönlein syndrome who presented to Mario G. Bianchetti, MD, of the Pediatric Department of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland, between 2010 and 2015.

A structured skin examination with the emphasis on palpable lesions with a linear pattern was conducted.

There were linear lesions on the legs, groin, waistline, wrists or forearms of eight of the 31 children (26%), including one patient with a blistering form of Henoch-Schönlein syndrome.

There was no significant difference in sex; age; complete blood cell count; C-reactive protein level; cutaneous, abdominal, articular or renal involvement; or disease severity score between patients with linear lesion or without.

“This report illustrates the rather common prevalence of pressure-dependent linear skin lesions in patients with Henoch-Schönlein syndrome,” the researchers concluded. “Patients with symptoms suggestive of this vasculitis syndrome should also be evaluated for the presence of nonblanching, palpable lesions with a linear skin pattern on the legs, groin, waistline, wrists or forearms.” – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.