Coexisting childhood pemphigus foliaceus and Graves' disease

We report herein the concurrent appearance of childhood pemphigus foliaceus and Graves' disease in a 14-year-old girl who was initially seen with crusted and hyperpigmented plaques on her chest, back, abdomen, and legs. The diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus was confirmed by biopsy and immunofluorescent microscopic studies while the diagnosis of Graves' disease was based on clinical and laboratory findings. The coexistence of these two immune-mediated diseases in a single patient suggest that some persons may bear a unique predisposition to the development of two or more autoimmune-type disorders that may affect diverse organ systems.