Bullous pemphigoid in an infant

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pediatric Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

• Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease typically affecting the elderly.
• Infantile bullous pemphigoid is exceptionally rare, with limited documented cases.

Observation:

• A 10-week-old infant presented with an acral blistering eruption.
• Histology and direct immunofluorescence confirmed bullous pemphigoid.
• No circulating auto-antibodies were detected in the infant.

Findings:

• The infant showed a rapid clinical response to oral prednisolone treatment.
• Complete resolution of blisters occurred without any sequelae.

Implications:

• This case highlights that bullous pemphigoid can manifest in neonates and infants.
• Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with corticosteroids are crucial for favorable outcomes.
• The absence of detectable auto-antibodies in this infant warrants further investigation into diagnostic markers for infantile bullous pemphigoid.