All issues > Volume 49(12); 2006

Case Report

Korean J Pediatr. 2006;49(12):1354-1357. Published online December 15, 2006.

Acute hemorrhagic edema in an infant mimicking Henoch-Sch nlein purpura: a case study

Hyang Mo HM Lee¹, Eun Young EY Kang¹, Han Uk HU Kim², Pyoung Han PH Hwang¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, the Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine Chonbuk Na
²Department of Dermatology*, the Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine Chonbuk

Abstract

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI) is an uncommon form of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis that occurs in infants and children younger than 2 years. AHEI is characterized clinically by marked peripheral edema and fever as well as large palpable purpuric and ecchymotic skin lesions in a target-like pattern, mainly on the face, ears and extremities, similar to the skin findings of Henoch- Schönlein purpura (HSP). The skin lesions heal spontaneously within one to three weeks and internal organs are rarely affected. We report a case of AHEI occurring in a 23-month-old boy who was initially misdiagnosed as HSP, and was later diagnosed according to his clinical symptoms and histochemical characteristics.

Keywords :Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI) , Leukocytoclastic vasculitis , Purpura