Cutaneous Mucinosis of Infancy: A Rare Congenital Case with Coexisting Progressive, Eruptive, and Spontaneously Involuting Lesions

Abstract

Cutaneous mucinosis in infancy is rare. We report an infant with multiple congenital papules distributed over the trunk, neck, and extremities. These papules were mainly dispersed, but they also coalesced into plaques. Histopathologic findings showed features of cutaneous mucinosis of infancy (CMI). Over 2 years of follow-up, we observed that the preexisting lesions on the lower back and left trunk progressively increased in size, and a few new scattered papules continued to appear, mainly on the trunk; several lesions spontaneously resolved with no further complications. CMI is considered to be a persistent cutaneous disorder, even though spontaneously regressing cases have rarely been reported. This case demonstrates the broad clinical spectrum of CMI, with progressive, eruptive, and spontaneously involuting lesions all present in the same patient. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of congenital or infantile-onset papules and plaques, especially those yellowish in color.

Cutaneous mucinosis of infancy

“… 1 Since then, only 8 cases have been reported. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 The histologic appearance of CMI shares features with other cutaneous mucinoses, including localized lichen myxedematosus, papular lichen myxedematosis, acral persistent papular mucinosis, and self-healing juvenile cutaneous mucinosis (SHJCM). Unifying characteristics of these conditions include the absence of thyroid disease and the absence of rheumatologic disease.…”

“… 4 Lesions on the thigh, as seen in our patient, were similarly noted in a recent report. 3 Nearly all cases are idiopathic, although the case of a child whose father had similar cutaneous lesions during his childhood may suggest a genetic or multifactorial element. 2 Even though our patient's lesions were first noticed at 2 years of age, other lesions associated with CMI have presented at birth.…”

Primary paediatric cutaneous mucinoses

“…These atypical forms have been reported only as single anecdotal case reports. [13][14][15][16] Scleroedema Scleroedema is a primary cutaneous fibromucinosis that can be divided into diabetic and nondiabetic types. 17 The nondiabetic form includes an idiopathic type, a postinfective type that predominates at paediatric age, and a type associated with different pathologies, the most common of which include monoclonal gammopathies.…”

Lichen myxedematosus: a rare group of cutaneous mucinosis

“…It may be considered a pediatric variant of DPLM or APPM. 30 It consists of erythematous-to-skin-colored papules < 1cm in diameter, more commonly found on the trunk and upper extremities. 31 Different patterns have been described, such as symmetrical, densely grouped, linear, and localized, as well as a more generalized form with no systemic involvement (Figures 7 and 8).…”