Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis in Child
Synopsis

The clinical presentation may be variable. A distinctive presentation in infants is that of generalized bullae formation with underlying normal or erythrodermic skin. Another presentation in infancy is that of infiltrated papules and plaques with a "grained leather" appearance on which smaller vesicles can occur. Here, blistering is less severe and a less consistent feature. Features common to both these presentations include Darier sign, dermographism, flushing, and pruritus. In older children and teenagers, the appearance is variable and may include diffuse infiltration and/or hyperpigmentation, nodular mastocytomas, and pseudoxanthomatous lesions.
While the disease is generally limited to the skin, massive cutaneous mast cell degranulation often results in systemic side effects. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common, including poor feeding, diarrhea, and, rarely, upper gastrointestinal bleeding. DCM patients are at high risk for anaphylaxis, which may be triggered by a variety of stimuli including vomiting, change in temperature, or flares of cutaneous disease.
Blistering disease generally resolves between ages 3 and 5 years. Unlike adult forms of mastocytosis, DCM is generally self-limiting, and patients experience complete resolution between ages 10 and 13 years. A small subset of patients has germline mutations resulting in a familial form of DCM, which may have a more protracted course. Blistering lesions in these patients may resolve; however, they often continue to have other cutaneous features of DCM through adolescence and into adulthood.
Codes
Q82.2 – Mastocytosis
SNOMEDCT:
703826004 – Diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis
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Last Updated:08/12/2024