Dermatologic manifestations of ataxia-telangiectasia syndrome

Previous reports on the cutaneous manifestations of ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) have relied on data from small series, in patients not genetically tested for A-T.

The aim of our study was to characterize the dermatologic manifestations in patients with A-T followed up at the national A-T clinic in Israel.

This retrospective cross-sectional study included 32 patients followed up at a multidisciplinary A-T clinic from 2010 to 2012. Complete skin examination was done by a single dermatologist. Information about mutations and neurologic status was extracted from the patients' charts. Relevant demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of all patients were collected and summarized.

Of the 32 patients, 97% had ocular telangiectasia, the hallmark of the disease. Telangiectasia on other body parts was less frequent. Pigmentary anomalies included café-au-lait macules (84%), hypopigmented macules (44%), and melanocytic nevi (37%). A facial papulosquamous rash was found in 41% of cases. Other manifestations included hypertrichosis and birdlike facies. We did not observe premature hair graying or poliosis. No genotype-phenotype correlation was found in terms of skin manifestations.

There was a modest sample size, because of the rarity of the disease.

Recognition of the ocular and dermatologic manifestations of A-T can facilitate early diagnosis in a child with neurologic deterioration.