title: Eruptive xanthomas masquerading as molluscum contagiosum.
abstract: Eruptive xanthomas are cutaneous manifestations of hyperlipidemias in which lipids accumulate in large foam cells within the skin. They classically present as crops of 1- to 4-mm yellow-orange papules and are often associated with extreme hypertriglyceridemia. We describe a 12-year-old boy with autism who was thought to have widespread molluscum contagiosum for a year before dermatologic consultation was obtained. Recognition of eruptive xanthomas led to the discovery of massive hypertriglyceridemia (serum triglycerides 6853 mg/dL) and diabetes mellitus. Through medical intervention, including insulin and fenofibrate therapy, and dietary modification with weight loss, the xanthomas cleared during the subsequent months, and his serum triglyceride levels nearly normalized.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois;
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sorrell
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois;
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salvaggio
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; and.
authors.forename: Abhimanyu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois;
authors.forename: Lulu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Duck
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; apaller@northwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Amy S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Paller
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: BMI; autism; behavior eating; dermatology