Cutaneous manifestations of systemic infection in children

Abstract

The child with rash and fever presents a particular challenge in the course of practice. Despite the development of many new diagnostic laboratory techniques over the past few decades, it is very often the morphology, distribution, and history of skin disease that allow the dermatologist or pediatrician to correctly evaluate and treat these patients. This review article emphasizes clinical clues that may aid in the diagnosis of a variety of bacterial, rickettsial, spirochetal, and viral infections in children. In addition, there have been a number of recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of several childhood illnesses with cutaneous manifestations. New information related to staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, Lyme disease, fifth disease, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and human T-cell lymphotropic virus infection is therefore included.