CLINICAL CASES OF BULLOUS EPIDERMOLYSIS IN NEWBORNS

Abstract

Summary. Hereditary bullous epidermolysis (BE) is a group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous diseases characterized by the formation of blisters and erosion due to injury on the skin and mucous membranes. Different forms of BE can be accompanied by various extracutaneous complications, such as blisters and erosion on the cornea and mucous membranes, stenoses and strictures of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, muscular dystrophy, and malignant tumors.
 Hereditary bullous epidermolysis is divided into three types, depending on the level of blister formation: simple, borderline, and dystrophic. Simple BE is characterized by the stratification of epidermis due to the keratinocyte cytolysis. Borderline BE means that blisters are formed at the border of the epidermis and dermis due to the splitting of the lamina of the basement membrane (lamina lucida), while dystrophic BE has blisters that are formed under the dense plate of the basement membrane (lamina densa), which exfoliates the dermis.
 Currently, mutations have been identified in more than 10 genes encoding the structural proteins of keratinocytes and the basal membrane of the skin and mucous membranes. A common feature of these proteins is their involvement in the formation of strong bonds between the epithelium and the basement membrane. The nature of the mutations and their localization determine the severity of the clinical manifestations of BE. Mutation information is a prerequisite for effective medical and genetic counseling, prenatal and preimplantation DNA diagnosis.
 Therefore diagnosis and prescribing appropriate treatment and follow-up care is an important task for neonatologists and pediatric dermatologists. As manifestations of hereditary BE are numerous, a specialized center is required for optimal care, where multidisciplinary care will be provided (neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, pediatric dermatologists, etc.).
 The purpose of clinical observation is to pay attention of specialists to this rare disease, and to present 2 clinical cases of bullous epidermolysis in newborns who were admitted to the anesthesiology and intensive care unit of newborns of Vinnytsia Regional Children's Clinical Hospital almost at the same time.