Localized vulvar pemphigoid in a child misdiagnosed as sexual abuse.
BACKGROUND
Various primary dermatoses can affect the vulva of children and be misdiagnosed as child abuse, with devastating social consequences.


METHODS
A 3-year-old girl with vulvar erosions was removed from her parent's care after a pediatrician and gynecologist diagnosed child abuse. Histopathologic and immunofluorescence studies were consistent with vulvar pemphigoid.


CONCLUSIONS
Localized pemphigoid should be added to the differential diagnosis of vulvar lesions. Dermatologists, pediatricians, and gynecologists should be familiar with nonvenereal diseases that can exclusively affect this area. The dermatologist's expertise is particularly valuable in differentiating between primary diseases and sexual abuse.
Levine
V
V
Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, NY 10016.
Sanchez
M
M
Nestor
M
M
D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000473:pathology*; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000473:pathology*
D003176:Complement C3; D007074:Immunoglobulin G