Bullous diseases of childhood

Although the bullous diseases of childhood are rare, their differential diagnosis is vast. A logical approach to these disorders exists, and a careful history and examination of a patient will usually lead to a correct diagnosis. Confirmation of this diagnosis may depend on sophisticated laboratory procedures including immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, and tissue culture. This article reviews the clinical features, ultrastructural findings, and treatment of the various inherited forms of epidermolysis bullosa and the acquired bullous diseases, including chronic bullous disease of childhood, dermatitis herpetiformis, bullous pemphigoid, and pemphigus.