Diseases of the nails in children

Congenital malalignment of the great toenail: Conservative and definitive treatment

Congenital malalignment of the great toenail, or ungual malalignment, is a rarely recognized disorder. It is characterized by lateral deviation of the longitudinal axis of the nail plate with respect to the distal phalanx, and if untreated, complications in the late teens and adulthood may arise. In this study, we have reviewed conservative and definitive treatments for this disorder.

Pediatric Nail Disorders

Many pediatric nail findings are normal variants and are no cause for alarm. Others represent congenital abnormalities or genetic syndromes for which there is no cure. Still others are inflammatory or infectious entities that require treatment. Pediatric nail disorders are reviewed, along with management.

Nail changes in childhood psoriasis: a study from Kuwait

Psoriasis is a widespread skin disorder in which nail involvement can be seen in up to two-thirds of those affected. Childhood psoriasis is a distinct entity and the literature focused on nail changes associated with childhood psoriasis is scant. Our objectives were to evaluate the frequency of nail involvement in childhood psoriatic patients, assess the types of nail changes in childhood psoriasis, and compare our clinical findings with the few reports available in the literature. Two hundred and one consecutive new patients with childhood (age < or = 16 years) psoriasis of both sexes were selected for the study of nail changes. The diagnosis of psoriasis was made on clinical grounds. Each patient underwent a thorough dermatologic examination with special attention paid to the nail changes. If a clinical suspicion of fungal infection of the nails existed, further mycologic investigations were performed. We found the prevalence of nail changes to be 37.81% (boys > girls) in children who had psoriasis. Nail pitting was found to be the most common manifestation (61.84%) followed by onycholysis (30.26%), subungual hyperkeratosis (13.16%), and discoloration of the nail plate (7.90%). Nail involvement had no relationship to the type of psoriasis, patient's sex, or duration or extent of disease.

Onicomicose na infância: uma perspectiva atual com ênfase na revisão do tratamento

A prevalência da onicomicose na infância, principalmente quando provocada por dermatófitos e Candida sp, tem aumentado. Tais infecções em crianças parecem infreqüentes em países desenvolvidos, mas não são excepcionais na América Latina. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi analisar a literatura médica atual. Foi observada a onicomicose por dermatófitos em crianças com idade a partir de dois anos. A faixa entre 12-16 anos é a mais afetada (66,4%), provavelmente devido aos fatores de risco aumentado, como a prática de esportes e os hormônios da puberdade. Os pais foram a fonte de infecção em 46,2% dos casos, e 65% dos parentes de pacientes apresentavam onicomicose ou tinea pedis. As unhas dos dedos dos pés são afetadas por dermatófitos, sendo mais freqüente a onicomicose distal subungueal (88,5%); contudo, também se observam as formas superficial branca e branca subungueal proximal. A suspeita de diagnóstico é obtida com o exame clínico, mas a confirmação micológica é necessária. Os principais agentes dermatófitos são: T. rubrum (69%-92,7%), T. tonsurans (8,8%), T. mentagrophytes var interdigitale (5,4%) e M. canis (2,9%). A griseofulvina constitui o tratamento de primeira linha, mas itraconazol, fluconazol e terbinafina também são recomendados para o tratamento sistêmico. O tratamento tópico com ciclopirox a 8%, amorolfina a 5% e uréia a 40% associada a bifonazol a 1% pode ser considerado alternativa terapêutica. Dada a escassez de relatos de onicomicose em crianças, não foi possível uma conclusão sobre a melhor abordagem terapêutica. Mais dados clínicos são necessários para estabelecer o perfil de segurança dos novos agentes antimicóticos a fim de determinar a conduta ideal na onicomicose infantil.

Lichen planus in childhood: a report of 17 patients

Lichen planus is a dermatosis of unknown origin with a very limited frequency in children. Over a period of one and a half years we observed 17 cases of childhood lichen planus. The classic form of the disease as seen in adults was the most common in these children; unlike adults, however, mucosal and nail involvement was uncommon. The natural history of the disease was similar to that in adults.

Nail disorders in children

The spectrum of nail abnormalities that may be seen in the pediatric population is discussed in this article. Developmental abnormalities, both hereditary and congenital, are discussed. Acquired nail abnormalities that may be similar to those seen in adults are also described.