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Rosacea in children: a review

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Abstract

Rosacea is a facial inflammatory disorder that shows an increasing incidence with age. While rosacea is common > 60 years of age, pediatric rosacea is uncommon. Diagnostic criteria are based on clinical symptoms. Laboratory investigations and histopathology are only needed to exclude other differential diagnoses. There are several subtypes such as erythemato-telangiectatic, papulo-pustular, periorificial, and granulomatous variants. In contrast to adult rosacea, phymatous subtypes do not belong to pediatric rosacea. A special subtype seen in infants and children is an idiopathic facial aseptic granuloma. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to its pathogenesis. Treatment options are in analogy to adult rosacea classified into topical and systemic drugs. In the case of oral tetracyclines, discoloration of teeth and impairment of enamel are possible adverse events.

Conclusion: Pediatric rosacea belongs to the rosacea spectrum but has peculiarities compared to the adult subtype.

What is Known:

• Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder different from acne.

• Rosacea gets more common with advanced age.

What is New:

• Pediatric rosacea is an uncommon subtype with peculiar clinical presentation.

• Demodicosis is very rare in immunocompetent children.

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Data used in this review are available for the public in databases like PUBMED or Google Scholar.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Nicolina Medical Center, Iasi, Romania

    Anca Chiriac

  2. Apollonia University, Iasi, Romania

    Anca Chiriac

  3. Romanian Academy, P. Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iasi, Romania

    Anca Chiriac

  4. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Städtisches Klinikum Dresden, Academic Teaching Hospital, Friedrichstrasse 41, 01067, Dresden, Germany

    Uwe Wollina

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  1. Anca Chiriac
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Contributions

Anca Chiriac and Uwe Wollina searched the literature. The first draft was written by Anca Chiriac. Clinical figures were provided by Anca Chiriac. Patients and parents provided their written informed consent to publish the pictures in Fig. 1a–h. Anca Chiriac and Uwe Wollina contributed to the final manuscript equally.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Uwe Wollina.

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Ethical approval and consent to participate

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the Apollonia University, Iasi. Written informed consent was obtained from the patients/parents to publish this paper.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Communicated by Peter de Winter

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Chiriac, A., Wollina, U. Rosacea in children: a review. Eur J Pediatr 182, 4323–4328 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-023-05083-0

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