Infantile generalized pustular psoriasis: a case report and review of the literature

• Main Authors: Yung-Shun Su (Author), Gwo-Shing Chen (Author), Cheng-Che E. Lan (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2011-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1027-8117; 10.1016/j.dsi.2011.01.002
• Keywords: Infant; Pustular psoriasis; Stress; Treatment; Dermatology; RL1-803
• Source: Dermatologica Sinica, Vol 29, Iss 1, Pp 22-24 (2011)

Infantile generalized pustular psoriasis (von Zumbusch) is a rare form of psoriasis. Here, we report a 3-month-old Taiwanese girl who was treated with Chinese herbal medicine for abdominal fullness starting at 1 month of age. Around 1 month into the treatment, sudden onset of generalized erythematous plaques with scales and pustules was noted which lasted for 1 month. Histopathology of the skin lesion revealed accumulation of polymorphs within the parakeratotic stratum corneum and subcorneal neutrophilic pustules. Based on clinical presentation, histopathology, and negative bacterial cultures, our final diagnosis was infantile generalized pustular psoriasis. Both drug use and physical stress (abdominal fullness for 1 month) may play a role in inducing generalized pustular psoriasis in this patient. The patient responded well to topical treatment, and the disease is under control with only occasional flares. In summary, because infants are at a stage of rapid growth, timely diagnosis and tailored therapy according to response are essential to ensure that the disease process does not interfere with normal development.