Cutaneous and ocular signs of childhood rosacea.

UNLABELLED: Objectives To describe the clinical features of cutaneous and ocular manifestations of childhood rosacea, to propose diagnostic criteria, and to emphasize the possible severity of ocular complications in this age group.

DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SETTING: Tertiary referral center. Patients Children aged 1 to 15 years who had received a diagnosis of cutaneous and/or ocular rosacea and were seen between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2005.

RESULTS: Of 20 patients, 11 had ocular and cutaneous rosacea, 6 had isolated cutaneous involvement, and 3 had isolated ocular involvement. Dermatologic examination results were sufficient to diagnose rosacea in 12 of the patients (60%). The most common presentation was a papulopustular eruption on a telangiectatic background. In 11 patients (55%), ocular involvement preceded the skin eruption. Among the ophthalmologic manifestations, chalazions and blepharoconjunctivitis were the main presenting symptoms; keratitis was observed in 4 patients and corneal ulcers in 2. Ten patients were treated with oral metronidazole. Intermittent treatment for at least 3 months was used to avoid neurologic toxic effects and to achieve complete remission. Conclusion Although rare, childhood rosacea should be recognized because of the possible severity of ocular involvement.