[Juvenile amyopathic dermatomyositis and calcinosis]

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a chronic multisystemic disease. It is believed to be of autoimmune etiology and is characterized by the presence of vasculitis affecting striated muscle and skin. Clinical description consists of general symptoms (anorexia, weight loss, asthenia, fever), typical manifestations (muscular and cutaneous) and possible systemic alterations. We report the case of a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with JDM who presented difficulty in walking, inability to completely extend the right lower extremity and calcinosis 12 months after the development of incorrectly evaluated cutaneous alterations. We aim to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this illness. Since the introduction of corticosteroid therapy, prognosis has improved but functional outcome still depends on the presence of calcinosis and muscular contractures.