The harlequin color change and association with prostaglandin E1.
The harlequin color change is an unusual cutaneous phenomenon observed in newborn infants as transient, benign episodes of a sharply demarcated erythema on half of the infant, with simultaneous contralateral blanching. In this report, two newborns with congenital heart anomalies demonstrated the harlequin color change, one whose skin findings showed a course related to the dose of systemic prostaglandin E1, suggesting a possible association. The benign, self-limited nature of the color change mandates that prostaglandin E1 not be discontinued for this reason. The entity is likely more common than the paucity of reports in the world literature suggests, and all physicians should recognize its graphic appearance to avoid unnecessary exposure to agents in an effort to treat it.
Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. jrao@ualberta.ca
Jaggi
J
Rao
Morag E
ME
Campbell
Alfons
A
Krol
D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018633:Pulmonary Atresia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D014188:Transposition of Great Vessels / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000527:Alprostadil