Erythema nodosum in children

Abstract

Objective: Erythema nodosum (EN) is a rare inflammatory disease of the subcutaneous tissue. EN has been associated with various infections and chronic inflammations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology, etiology, clinical findings and course of EN in children.Material and Methods: A total of 14 patients diagnosed with EN between January 2005 and March 2011 at Uludag University, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic, were studied retrospectively.Results: The mean age of patients was 9.2 +/- 3.7 years (range, 3-15 years) and 57% were male. The mean duration of the skin manifestation before admission was 20.7 +/- 13.8 days (range, 7-60 days). Tularemia was the most common cause (28.6%), followed by tuberculosis (21.4%), streptococcal infection (14.2%) and gastroenteritis due to Salmonella spp. (14.2%). In one-fifth of cases, no specific cause could be identified. The duration of the recovery of lesions varied from 6 to 15 days (mean, 10.1 +/- 3.2 days). Recurrences were noted in 2 children (2 episodes in 1 child and 4 episodes in the other).Conclusion: EN has been associated with numerous diseases. This study revealed tularemia and tuberculosis as the main etiologies of EN.