Juvenile scleroderma.
Scleroderma is a relatively rare disorder in children. Among its subsets, localized scleroderma is more common in children than the systemic variety. No exciting new finding was reported in 2001 specifically applicable to childhood scleroderma. However, many new advances in our understanding of the growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines were reported. These studies should help us to understand the pathogenesis of early lesions of scleroderma, vascular changes, and fibrosis and perhaps lead us toward more rational therapy.
Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University/Jefferson Medical College Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. bathreya@nemours.org
Balu H
BH
Athreya
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D008727:Methotrexate