Pediatric morphea state-of-the-art literature review: Reframing morphea as a systemic disease

Jacquelyn R Sink1, Yvonne E Chiu2

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group, Winfield, IL, USA.

Pediatric Dermatology
|July 17, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric morphea, an inflammatory skin condition, may indicate a wider systemic inflammatory process. Early, aggressive treatment and long-term monitoring are crucial for managing this condition in children.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Rheumatology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Pediatric morphea is an inflammatory and fibrosing skin disorder.
  • While often localized, evidence suggests it can be a manifestation of systemic inflammation.
  • Morphea has the potential to affect multiple organ systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the systemic nature of pediatric morphea.
  • To emphasize the importance of early and aggressive treatment.
  • To underscore the necessity of long-term disease monitoring.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review and synthesis of current evidence regarding pediatric morphea.
  • The abstract does not detail specific experimental methods.

Main Results:

  • Increasing evidence indicates morphea is a systemic inflammatory process.
  • The condition carries a risk for irreversible sequelae.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric morphea requires early and aggressive treatment.
  • Long-term monitoring is essential for managing potential systemic involvement and sequelae.

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis01:30

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
351
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
41
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction01:24

Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction

Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of...
206
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management01:26

Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management

IntroductionNephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder marked by excessive protein loss in the urine, leading to various systemic complications. This condition often results from damage to the glomeruli—the kidney's filtering units—causing proteinuria, low blood protein levels, and fluid retention. Understanding the assessment, diagnosis, and management of nephrotic syndrome is essential for effective treatment and prevention of further kidney damage.AssessmentPatient History: Document...
45
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
57
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
45