Perianal Lesions in Children: An Updated Review

Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Jun;18(3):343-354. doi: 10.1007/s40257-017-0259-z.

Abstract

Perianal lesions in children are common reasons for dermatology clinic visits and a well-defined approach to diagnosis and management is helpful to the practicing clinician. In this article, we review and update various etiologies of perianal lesions in the pediatric population, including infectious, papulosquamous, vascular, and neoplastic. We provide a standard initial approach to diagnosis and updates on current management. Infectious etiologies of perianal lesions discussed in this article include fungal, bacterial, parasitic, and viral. Perianal papulosquamous lesions often encountered in children, and discussed in this article, include acrodermatitis enteropathica, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, and many others. We also discuss the diagnosis and management of other entities including infantile hemangiomas, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and fibrous hamartoma of infancy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anus Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Anus Diseases / pathology
  • Anus Diseases / therapy
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases / pathology
  • Skin Diseases / therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / pathology
  • Skin Diseases, Infectious / therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous / pathology
  • Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous / therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy