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Acne in infancy and acne genetics
1Department of Dermatology, West Unit Faculty of Medicine, Hospital San Juan de Dios, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile. giderm@yahoo.es
Insights
Acne manifests across all ages, from infancy to adulthood, with varying causes like sebum production and androgens. Genetic factors and specific gene variations significantly influence acne development and severity.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Genetics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition affecting individuals from infancy through adulthood.
- Pathogenesis varies by age, involving sebum excretion, androgens, and genetic predispositions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted causes and genetic underpinnings of acne across different age groups.
- To highlight key predictors for severe acne in prepubertal children.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of acne pathogenesis across neonatal, infantile, prepubertal, adolescent, and postadolescent stages.
- Analysis of genetic factors, including hereditary influences and specific gene polymorphisms.
Main Results:
- Neonatal and infantile acne are linked to sebum production and androgens.
- Early comedones and high dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate predict severe prepubertal acne.
- Genetic factors, chromosomal abnormalities, and gene polymorphisms (CYP1A1, MUC1) are implicated in acne pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Acne's development is influenced by a combination of age-specific factors and significant genetic contributions.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for predicting and managing acne severity.
Abstract:
Acne is a disease that can be seen in the first year of age, early childhood, prepubertal age and puberty. Neonatal acne is due mainly to considerable sebum excretion rate, and infantile acne because of high androgens of adrenal origin in girls and of adrenal and testes in boys. These pathogenic mechanisms are characteristic in these ages. Important factors like early onset of comedones and high serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate are predictors of severe or long-standing acne in prepubertal age. Hereditary factors play an important role in acne. Neonatal, nodulocystic acne and conglobate acne has proven genetic influences. Postadolescent acne is related with a first-degree relative with the condition in 50% of the cases. Chromosomal abnormalities, HLA phenotypes, polymorphism of human cytochrome P-450 1A1 and MUC1 gene are involved in the pathogenesis of acne. Several other genes are being studied.