The fasciitis-morphea complex in children.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical presentation and treatment of the combined syndrome of fasciitis and morphea in children.


METHODS
The rheumatic disease clinic of a university children's hospital.


METHODS
Six children who were referred for signs or symptoms of fasciitis were observed.


METHODS
All children who were referred for fasciitis were included in the study.


METHODS
Therapy included prednisone initially and subsequent long-term treatment with penicillamine and alternate-day doses of prednisone.


RESULTS
Symptoms of morphea appeared 1 year before to 4 years after the first signs of fasciitis were observed. The fasciitis was characterized by usually symmetrical, centrifugal swelling, pain, and contracture formation. The morphea and fasciitis did not appear in the same areas of the body.


CONCLUSIONS
The fasciitis and morphea are clearly linked manifestations. The fasciitis, but not the morphea, appears to respond to treatment with steroids. Treatment with penicillamine may ameliorate the sclerosis of the morphea but does not stop new lesions from appearing.
Miller
J J
JJ
Lucille Salter Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, Palo Alto, CA 94304.
D000293:Adolescent; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000737:chemistry; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D005634:Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase; D010396:Penicillamine; D011241:Prednisone