[Nail alterations in children]

Nikolaos Kaparos1, Sarah Norrenberg1, Mahdi Al-Dhafiri1

  • 1Unité de dermatologie pédiatrique, Services de dermatologie et vénéréologie et de pédiatrie, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.

Revue Medicale Suisse
|March 29, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Childhood nail changes can be congenital or acquired, appearing alone or with systemic conditions. This review highlights common pediatric nail pathologies, diagnostic clues, and management strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Nail Disorders

Background:

  • Nail unit alterations in children present diverse etiologies, including congenital and acquired conditions.
  • These changes can manifest as isolated findings or indicators of underlying systemic diseases or syndromes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe common nail changes observed in pediatric populations.
  • To identify key clinical indicators prompting further diagnostic investigations for nail pathologies.
  • To provide a concise overview of the management approaches for childhood nail disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of common childhood nail changes.
  • Analysis of clinical clues associated with specific nail pathologies.
  • Summary of current management guidelines for pediatric nail conditions.

Main Results:

  • Detailed description of prevalent congenital and acquired nail abnormalities in children.
  • Identification of specific dermatological signs and symptoms indicative of systemic involvement.
  • Outline of therapeutic strategies tailored to various pediatric nail pathologies.

Conclusions:

  • Recognizing common childhood nail changes is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention.
  • Specific clinical clues can guide the investigation of underlying systemic conditions.
  • Effective management of pediatric nail disorders requires a comprehensive approach.

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