摘要
Background:Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI) is a rare leukocytoclastic vasculitis of the small vessels occurring at a young age and considered as a benign self-limited disease.Due to its low prevalence,there are limited data on the presentation and complications of this disease.Methods:All computerized files of children who were hospitalized at a tertiary pediatric center due to AHEI over a 10 year period were reviewed.Clinical,laboratory and histopathological data were collected.Results:Twenty-six patients were included in our study,accounting for 0.7 cases per 1000 admissions of children aged 2 years or less.Mean age was 12.9 months.More than two thirds of the children had preceding symptoms compatible with a viral infection.Upon admission,all patients presented with typical findings of a rash and edema.Edema was most profound over the lower extremities (73%).Concomitant viral or bacterial infections were found in six children.Skin biopsy was performed in six patients revealing leukocytoclastic vasculitis.Thirteen children (50%) had systemic involvement including joint involvement (n=9),gastrointestinal hemorrhage (n=4),microscopic hematuria (n=1) and compartment syndrome of the limb (n=1).The latter was diagnosed in a patient with familial Mediterranean fever.Conclusions:Our largest data series highlighted what is known regarding clinical and histological findings in children with AHEI.However,contrary to what was previously reported,we found a higher rate of systemic involvement.Although AHEI is a rare entity,pediatricians should be familiar with its presentation,management and our reported complications.
