Primary paediatric cutaneous mucinoses.

BACKGROUND

Primary cutaneous mucinoses are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the abnormal deposition of glycosaminoglycans (mucin) in the skin. This is the main histopathological clue resulting in distinctive clinical presentations. They are usually diseases of adult age and are uncommon in children, in whom diagnosis and management are difficult tasks. In particular, the classification of primary cutaneous mucinoses occurring in childhood is a difficult and confusing challenge because of the very limited number of described cases and overlaps in their clinicopathological features in the absence of reports of homogeneous case series.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review is to help dermatologists and paediatricians to identify patients with cutaneous mucinoses at a paediatric age and to enable institution of appropriate management. A classification of primary paediatric cutaneous mucinoses is also proposed.

RESULTS

New investigations have yielded significant insights into a classification of paediatric cutaneous mucinoses.

CONCLUSIONS

The current update tries to offer a more meaningful guide to the diagnosis and treatment of these rare diseases in paediatric patients. What's already known about this topic? The nosography of primary cutaneous mucinoses occurring in childhood is confusing because of the very limited number of cases and overlaps in their clinicopathological features in the absence of homogeneous case series. The diagnosis and management of paediatric patients with cutaneous mucinoses are also difficult as these diseases are rarely seen in children. What does this study add? New investigations have yielded significant insights into a classification of paediatric cutaneous mucinoses. The current update tries to offer a more meaningful guide to diagnosis and treatment of these rare diseases in patients of paediatric age.