Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering
Published on: October 12, 2012
Bullous pemphigoid in infancy: Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics
Orith Waisbourd-Zinman1, Dani Ben-Amitai, Arnon D Cohen
1Pediatric Dermatology Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah-Tiqva, Israel.
Insights
Infantile bullous pemphigoid (BP) is not as rare as previously thought, with distinct lesion distribution patterns compared to childhood BP. Laboratory results, treatment, and prognosis show no significant differences.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
Background:
- Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disease.
- Recent cases suggest an increase in infantile BP, necessitating further investigation.
Observation:
- A retrospective review of infantile BP cases in Israel (2004-2006) and a literature search were conducted.
- The study compared clinical and laboratory features of infantile BP with childhood BP.
Findings:
- Infantile BP incidence in Israel was 2.36:100,000/year.
- Acral involvement was significantly higher in infantile BP (79%) versus childhood BP (17%).
- Genital involvement was rare in infantile BP (5%) compared to childhood BP (44%).
- IgM deposition at the dermoepidermal junction was more frequent in childhood BP (29%) than infantile BP (10%).
Implications:
- Infantile BP may be underdiagnosed.
- Age-related differences in BP lesion distribution exist.
- No major differences in laboratory findings, treatment, or prognosis were observed between infantile and childhood BP.
Background:
Recent cases of infants with bullous pemphigoid (BP) prompted us to explore the clinical and laboratory features of childhood BP.
Objectives:
We sought to explore the characteristics of infantile BP and compare them with childhood BP.
Methods:
All new consecutive cases of infantile BP referred to dermatologic departments in Israel during 2004 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. All reported cases in the English- and foreign-language medical literature were gathered and statistical analysis of all cases was performed.
Results:
Reports on infantile BP are rapidly increasing. Among 78 reported children with BP, 42 (53%) occurred in the first year of life. The incidence of infantile BP in Israel in the last years is 2.36:100,000/y. Predisposition for acral involvement is significantly higher in infantile BP than in childhood BP (79% vs 17%, P < .001), whereas genital involvement is very rare (5% vs 44%, P = .002). Laboratory parameters were not significantly different, except for a more frequent IgM deposition at the dermoepidermal junction in childhood BP (29% vs 10%, P = .042).
Limitations:
Statistical analyses of published cases may not be representative and could be affected by possible reporting biases.
Conclusions:
Infantile BP may not be as rare as commonly stated. Age-related differences in regional distribution of lesions in BP were demonstrated. No major differences regarding laboratory results, treatment, and prognosis were found.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Smallpox
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:20Chickenpox
01:30Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution