The fasciitis-morphea complex in children
Miller, J.J.
American Journal of Diseases of Children 146(6): 733-736
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-922X PMID: 1595630 Document Number: 398646
Objective: To describe the clinical presentation and treatment of the combined syndrome of fasciitis and morphea in children. Setting: The rheumatic disease clinic of a university children's hospital. Patients: Six children who were referred for signs or symptoms of fasciitis were observed. Selection Procedures: All children who were referred for fasciitis were included in the study. Interventions: Therapy included prednisone initially and subsequent long-term treatment with penicillamine and alternate-day of prednisone. Measurements and Results: Symptoms of morphea appeared 1 year before to 4 years after the first signs of fasciitis were observed. The fasciitis was characterized by usually symmetrical, centrifugal swelling, pain, and contracture formation. The morpheaand fascitis did not appear in the same area of the body. Conclusion: The fasciitis, and morphea are clearly linked manifestations. The fasciitis, but not the morphea, appears to respond to treatment with steroids. Treatment with pencillamine may ameliorate the sclerosis of the morphe abut does not stop new lesions from appearing.