Viral exanthems in children: A great imitator

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Nicole Knöpfel1, Lucero Noguera-Morel2, Irene Latour2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Dermatology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Dermatology, University Children's Hospital Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain.

Clinics in Dermatology
|June 11, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Viral exanthems in children often present with varied skin rashes, sometimes mimicking other illnesses. This review aids in diagnosing challenging cases and guides appropriate testing for pediatric viral diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Viral exanthems are common in children and usually resolve on their own.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and further testing.
  • Clinical presentations can be diverse, ranging from typical rashes to atypical forms resembling non-viral conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review viral diseases in children with challenging diagnoses due to overlapping clinical features with non-viral illnesses.
  • To provide guidance on differential diagnosis for difficult cases.
  • To suggest appropriate diagnostic testing strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on pediatric viral exanthems.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations and diagnostic challenges.
  • Synthesis of information on differential diagnosis and testing.

Main Results:

  • Viral exanthems exhibit a polymorphic spectrum of skin eruptions.
  • Atypical presentations can mimic non-viral diseases, posing diagnostic challenges.
  • Clinical diagnosis is often possible but requires careful consideration.

Conclusions:

  • Early recognition and differentiation of viral exanthems are essential in pediatric care.
  • This review offers insights into diagnosing challenging viral exanthems in children.
  • Guidance is provided for differential diagnosis and selecting appropriate diagnostic tests.

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