Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI), or Seidlmayer's disease, is a type of leukocytoclastic vasculitis proper of infants and children. It is characterized by a local increase in temperature, erythematous edema and purpuric lesions involving mainly the face and extremities. There usually is no visceral involvement. The disease is self-limited, bearing a benign clinical course. Infection, drugs and immunization have been considered as precipitating factors. The main differential diagnosis is Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).


METHODS
We describe a classic example of acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy, and comment on the clinical features, pathology, immunopathology and proposed therapy. We characterize the differences between AHEI and HSP.


RESULTS
A course of corticosteroids was given to avoid quick progression of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy is a rare disease, and the most striking classic feature of the disease is the contrast between the acuteness of the cutaneous lesions and the good general condition of the patient. Considering its clinical features, pathology and immunopathology, AHEI can be justifiably characterized as a unique disorder, distinct from HSP.
da Silva Manzoni
Ana Paula Dornelles
AP
Department of Dermatology, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. apds@cpovo.net
Viecili
Josiane Burmann
JB
de Andrade
Cristiane Benvenuto
CB
Kruse
Ricardo Lapa
RL
Bakos
Lucio
L
Cestari
Tania Ferreira
TF
D000208:Acute Disease; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018366:Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis*