Photosensitivity testing in children

Photosensitivity disorders in children

“…Most PMLE patients have normal minimal erythemal doses (MEDs) to UVA and UVB and pigmentary responses to UVA. 5,7 However, there are several reports showing decreased MED values either to UVA or UVB. 9 Diagnosis can be confirmed by evaluating the patient after exposure to sunlight or by performing provocative phototesting in the clinic.…”

“…[3][4][5] It is caused by partial deficiency of the ferrochelatase (FECH) enzyme; clinical presentations appear only when FECH activity is \50% of normal function. EPP is an inherited disorder; however, the mode of inheritance is complex.…”

“…However, Horkay et al 4 found that the second most common cause was EPP. The latest literature in pediatric photodermatoses, published by Ten Berge et al, 5 also reported that PMLE was the most common diagnosis (39% of patients). Interestingly, 23% of the patients had photosensitivity associated with atopic dermatitis, and an equal percentage had EPP.…”

“…2 The incidence of photodermatoses in the pediatric population is much lower than in adults. [3][4][5] A summary of the distribution of photosensitivity disorders in children as reported in the literature [3][4][5] is shown in Table III. Jansen 3 reported 95 (26%) cases of a total 370 patients with photosensitivity disorders started before 15 years of age.…”

Photosensitivity disorders in children

“…47 Photosensitivity is found in approximately 3% of patients with AD; the majority are female. 47,48 Photosensitivity in patients with AD consists of 2 clinical reaction patterns distinguishable by phototesting: photosensitive AD and AD with coexisting polymorphous light eruption. 48 These 2 reaction patterns were first described in children with AD by Frain-Bell.…”