Childhood psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriasis (Ps) is a T-cell-mediated chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin seen in about 3.5% of the population. One-third of Ps cases in dermatology center are pediatric patients. Pediatric Ps consists broadly of three age groups of psoriatic patients: infantile Ps, a self-limited disease of infancy, Ps with early onset and pediatric Ps with psoriatic arthritis. Timely diagnosis and appropriate management can not only arrest progression but also minimize the psychosocial burden imposed by this illness thereby averting disfiguring states and its evolution into a metabolic syndrome requiring extensive treatment. This review will cover almost all aspects of pediatric Ps including the rare clinical form congenital erythrodermic Ps and present the latest update especially on the etiopathogenesis and treatment options.