Clinic and demographic characteristics of pediatric patients with Lichen sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic disease of the skin, for which the pathogenesis is not known. It can lead to various changes of the skin and the genital area, potentially leading to both functional as well as cosmetic problems for the patient, thus disrupting the quality of life. In this study; the purpose was to review the clinical characteristics and the treatments of the 15 pediatric patients under the age of 18 followed up in our out-patient clinic with a diagnosis of LS and to compare the findings with literature data.

Between 2011 and 2017, the files of 15 patients diagnosed clinically and/or histologically with LS in our clinic were retrospectively examined. The demographic characteristics, clinic and laboratory findings, treatment options of the patients are reported.

Of the patients included in the study 14 were girls and one was a boy. The average age was 11.6 years (5-17 years), the average age for the initial disease was 7.8 years (2-13 years). The average duration of the disease at the diagnosis was 3.9 years. The most common form was genital vulvar type (8/14 girls) without anal and cutaneous involvement, and each of them suffered from itching. One of the cases had genital LS as well as extragenital morphea lesions. Two of the 15 patients were ANA positive. The other antibodies were negative. In two cases with extragenital involvement, lesions were widespread and they were in blachkoid form.

LS is a chronic disease that progresses with recurrences and regressions. In our study, the most common LS type was genital type (60%). There was extragenital involvement in 6 patients (40%). Extragenital involvement was the most common on the trunk. Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up during childhood is highly important to prevent any possible future anatomical or psychological damage and genital malignancies.