Pediatric Lichen: Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics in Children

Lichen and related lichenoid dermatoses, including lichen planus and lichen sclerosus, are uncommon in childhood and remain insufficiently characterized due to their clinical heterogeneity and potential functional and psychological impact.

To describe the epidemiological, clinical, dermoscopic, and therapeutic characteristics of pediatric lichen in a Moroccan tertiary dermatology center.

We conducted a retrospective descriptive study in the pediatric dermatology outpatient clinic of the Dermatology Department of Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, over a period of 14 years and 8 months (January 2010 to August 2024). Diagnosis was based on clinical and histological criteria after exclusion of differential diagnoses. Dermoscopic evaluation was performed using standard dermoscopic examination.

Thirty-six children were included. The mean age was 10 years (range: 4-16), with a marked female predominance (75%). Lichen sclerosus was the most frequent subtype. Dermoscopy revealed reproducible patterns according to clinical variants, contributing to diagnostic orientation. Associated conditions included alopecia areata, vitiligo, and linear morphea.

Pediatric lichen is a rare and heterogeneous condition in which non-classical forms may predominate. Clinicodermoscopic evaluation appears to be a valuable non-invasive tool to improve diagnostic accuracy and guide management in children.