Dermatological Aspects of the S2k Guidelines on Down Syndrome in Childhood and Adolescence
October 2018
in “
JDDG Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft
”
Down syndrome pustules vesiculopustules neonatal rashes transient myeloproliferative disorder keratinization disorders xerosis keratosis pilaris lichenification ichthyosis vulgaris four-finger palmar crease simian crease folliculitides anetoderma elastolysis immune disturbances autoimmune diseases alopecia areata vitiligo elastosis perforans serpiginosa syringomas milia-like calcinosis cutis multiple eruptive dermatofibromas dry skin chicken skin thickened skin fish scale disease hair loss white patches on skin
TLDR Most skin conditions in Down syndrome are benign and involve dry or thickened skin.
The S2k guidelines on Down syndrome in childhood and adolescence highlighted dermatological aspects associated with the condition, which had an incidence of 1 in 700 births. While serious disorders like cardiac defects and leukemia were noted, skin manifestations in newborns with Down syndrome included pustules and vesiculopustules, which could indicate transient myeloproliferative disorder. Most skin conditions were benign, involving keratinization disorders such as xerosis and ichthyosis vulgaris. Common dermatological features included the simian crease and folliculitides, which could lead to anetoderma. The immune disturbances in Down syndrome patients explained the prevalence of autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata and vitiligo, along with conditions such as elastosis perforans serpiginosa and multiple eruptive dermatofibromas.
