Childhood Pemphigus Vulgaris

Abstract

Pemphigus vulgaris rarely occurs in childhood. The history of a patient, 13 years of age, is reported. Evidence of the disease was established in this patient by the presence of acantholytic cells in a surprabasal position shown by usual histologic techniques and was confirmed further by the demonstration of intercellular fluorescence made possible with newer immunofluorescent tests available today. Pemphigus vulgaris pursues a severe malignant course in this age group. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and early initiation of aggressive therapy with adrenocorticosteroids is warranted.