Constipation as a feature of anogenital lichen sclerosus in children.
OBJECTIVE
To call attention to constipation as a frequent sign of lichen sclerosus (LS) in girls.


METHODS
A focused questionnaire was sent to parents of 24 girls with anogenital LS seen in the pediatric dermatology clinic at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin between January 2001 and May 2004.


RESULTS
Eighteen of 24 questionnaires were completed and returned. The average age of onset of LS was 4.2 years, but average age at diagnosis was 5.2 years; only 1 patient was diagnosed correctly by her primary care physician. Itching was the most common symptom (78%). Severe constipation was reported in 67% of patients, and 89% had at least 1 gastrointestinal complaint (bleeding with bowel movements, fissuring, soiling, fecal impaction, or constipation).


CONCLUSIONS
Childhood anogenital LS often presents with recalcitrant constipation or some other gastrointestinal complaint. Primary care physicians need to consider the diagnosis of LS and perform a thorough examination by looking for anogenital lesions when a female pediatric patient presents with unexplained constipation or other severe gastrointestinal complaints.
Maronn
Mandi L
ML
Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. mmaronn@yahoo.com
Esterly
Nancy B
NB
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017668:Age of Onset; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000209:etiology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones