title: [Dermatomyositis in childhood].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to review the presenting signs and symptoms, laboratory findings and therapeutic regimens of juvenile dermatomyositis in a tertiary hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed retrospectively the available medical records of patients who met the clinicopathologic criteria of Bohan and Peter for definite juvenile dermatomyositis. They were followed between 1986 and july 1999 at the pediatric rheumatology section at our institution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient population included 3 male and 6 female patients. The mean age at diagnosis was 7 years. Clinical features demanding medical attention at the hospital were: muscle weakness and pain, with associated general symptoms in 4 cases; isolated muscle weakness in 2 cases; muscle weakness associated to general symptoms in 1 case; and monoarthritis in another case. One patient presented initially only with cutaneous rash. Three patients developed calcinosis. Serum CPK and LDH levels were elevated in 8 patients, aldolase in 7 and aminotransferases in 6. Autoantibodies were undetectable in all the patients. Electomyography demonstrated myopatic or mixed pattern in the 5 patients it was practiced. Muscle biopsy showed features of inflammatory myopathy in all the cases. Seven patients were treated exclusively with steroids and 2 patients with steroids, methotrexate and intravenous gammaglobuline. Actually, 6 patients are asymptomatic, 2 have mild muscle weakness, and 1 has died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our review agree with other series reported. Juvenile dermatomyositis suspicious should be made upon muscle weakness and general symptoms. Treatment with steroids should be started promptly.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Neurología Pediátrica. Departamento de Pediatría. Hospital 12 de Octubre. Madrid.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Mateos González
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: López-Laso
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gómez Reino
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simón de las Heras
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mateos Beato
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies