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Crohn's disease presenting as a neutrophilic dermatosis in a 5-month-old boy

Angela M Sutton1, Hillary S Lawrence, Kristi M Canty

  • 1Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Missouri.

Pediatric Dermatology
|June 1, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study reports the youngest infant diagnosed with Crohn's disease, presenting with failure to thrive, oral ulcers, and a skin rash. The diagnosis was confirmed via biopsies showing chronic active colitis with granulomas.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Neonatal Dermatology

Background:

  • Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease typically diagnosed in adolescents and adults.
  • Early-onset inflammatory conditions in infants present diagnostic challenges due to non-specific symptoms.

Observation:

  • A 5-month-old infant presented with failure to thrive, poor feeding, oral ulcers, and a generalized vesiculopustular rash.
  • Histopathology of the rash revealed subcorneal pustules with neutrophilic infiltrate.
  • Gastrointestinal biopsies showed chronic active colitis with granulomas.

Findings:

  • The infant's clinical presentation and biopsy results were consistent with Crohn's disease.
  • This case represents the youngest documented instance of Crohn's disease in association with these specific symptoms.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering Crohn's disease in infants presenting with failure to thrive and dermatological manifestations.
  • Suggests that early-onset granulomatous colitis can manifest in infancy.
  • Emphasizes the need for thorough gastrointestinal and dermatological evaluation in complex pediatric cases.

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