Skin lesions simulating child abuse

Child abuse is a broad term which describes various forms of maltreatment and neglect in children and is recognized increasingly. Physical abuse presents to dermatologists as well as pediatricians because the skin is so readily accessible for harm. Doctors unfamiliar with the wide range of skin disorders that simulate child abuse may mistakenly diagnose child abuse or “fabricated or induced illness by carers” (Munchausen by proxy), with traumatic consequences for the family. Mimics of child abuse include various cultural practices, birthmarks, bleeding disorders, bacterial infections, bullous diseases, and hereditary conditions. Dermatitis artefacta and self-harm must also be considered. Observation of the skin lesions and their evolution during hospitalization may provide the correct answer, but knowledge of the morphology and presentation of various skin disorders is crucial to avoid incorrect diagnosis of child abuse. This article describes some of the less well-known mimics of child abuse. It is essential that dermatologists support pediatricians in managing conditions that appear unusual and possibly artifactual

Advances in diaper technology

Diapering practices vary among different countries from the use of cloth diapers to the modern disposable diaper. In the last few decades, diaper technology has advanced significantly thus decreasing the prevalence of diaper dermatitis. Recent innovative techniques used in the manufacturing of diapers include incorporation of superabsorbent polymer gel that can absorb 30 times its weight in liquid. Recently, smart diapers have been developed which not only prevents diaper dermatitis but significantly has reduced the burden on parents. This article reviews how changes in disposable diaper technology have improved diapering practices

Erythrokeratodermia variabilis and erythrokeratoderma en cocardes: Case series with review of literature

Erythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV) are a rare heterogeneous group of inherited cornification disorders. They are characterized by two distinct morphological types of skin lesions: Fixed hyperkeratotic plaques and sharply marginated, pruritic, and migratory erythematous lesions. We report three cases of EKV along with a review of literature

Bathing suit ichthyosis

Bathing suit ichthyosis (BSI) is a rare, autosomal recessive form of congenital ichthyosis. The phenotypic expression of this unique form of ichthyosis is limited to the involvement of bathing suit area owing to the temperature-sensitive mutation of transglutaminase 1 gene. Lack of Indian literature of this rare condition made us to report three cases of BSI in healthy female children who presented with ichthyotic scales on the trunk since birth with sparing of extremities

Allergic contact dermatitis in atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) coexisting with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is not uncommon. There has been lot of controversies regarding this concept as the prevalence of ACD in AD is similar to that seen in nonatopics. There is increased susceptibility to ACD in AD as AD modulates the exposure to allergens. There is an impaired barrier function that predisposes to the development of ACD in AD. Patch testing is a standard test for detecting allergens in AD

KIT gene mutation causing piebaldism associated with multiple Café Au-Lait like macules and freckling: Delineating a cause of this coexistence

Piebaldism is a rare genetic disorder of congenital leukoderma caused by mutation in KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase. We present a 10-year-old boy with congenital depigmented macules suggestive of piebaldism associated with café au lait macules and skin fold freckling complicating the diagnosis. A diagnosis of piebaldism was made via exome sequencing that showed a pathogenic variant of KIT gene with no pathogenic variants of NF1 or SPRED1 gene. Our current understanding of the KIT tyrosine kinase function may provide a better explanation into this phenotypic coexistence and does not necessarily represent an overlap with Neurofibromatosis type 1