Acrodermatitis
Acrodermatitis
Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg
Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B


Acrodermatitis

Definition:
Acrodermatitis is a skin condition peculiar to children that may be accompanied by mild symptoms of fever and malaise. It may also be associated with Hepatitis B and other viral infections.

Alternative Names:
Papular acrodermatitis of childhood; Gianotti-Crosti syndrome; Acrodermatitis - infantile lichenoid; Acrodermatitis - papular infantile; Papulovesicular acro-located syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The mechanism that causes acrodermatitis is poorly understood, but its association with other infections is well documented. The lesions of acrodermatitis appear as small coppery-red, flat-topped firm papules that appear in crops and sometimes in long linear strings.

The lesions are often symmetric (equal on both sides) and appear on the face, arms and legs, and buttocks. This is one of the few rashes that may also appear on the palms and soles. Generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes and liver may be seen.

In Italian children, acrodermatitis is seen frequently in conjunction with Hepatitis B, but this association is rarely seen in the USA. In addition to Hepatitis B, acrodermatitis has also been associated with Epstein-Barr virus infections (EBV, mononucleosis), cytomegalovirus, coxsackie viruses, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and some live virus vaccines.




Review Date: 1/31/2002
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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