Linear IgA dermatosis of childhood: case report with an immunoelectron microscopic study

A 7-year-old girl developed a cutaneous bullous eruption with genital and nasal mucous membrane involvement. Direct immunofluorescence revealed linear deposits of IgA and IgM at the basement membrane zone. No circulating antibasement membrane zone antibodies were detected. Small bowel biopsies showed a partial villous atrophy. The clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic findings were consistent with a diagnosis of linear IgA dermatosis of childhood. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed IgA deposits in the lamina lucida in association with hemidesmosomes, confirming results of two recent studies.