Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Response of Childhood Lichen Planus: Insights from a Tunisian Study

Authors

  • I Khamassi (1) Pediatric department, Habib Bougatfa Hospital, Bizerta, Tunisia ; (2) Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of medicine of Tunis, Tunisia ; (3) Dermatology department, La Rabta hospital, Tunis, Tunisia Author
  • W Barbaria (1) Pediatric department, Habib Bougatfa Hospital, Bizerta, Tunisia ; (2) Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of medicine of Tunis, Tunisia ; (3) Dermatology department, La Rabta hospital, Tunis, Tunisia Author
  • H Zribi (1) Pediatric department, Habib Bougatfa Hospital, Bizerta, Tunisia ; (2) Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of medicine of Tunis, Tunisia ; (3) Dermatology department, La Rabta hospital, Tunis, Tunisia Author
  • A Ben Osman (1) Pediatric department, Habib Bougatfa Hospital, Bizerta, Tunisia ; (2) Tunis El Manar University, Faculty of medicine of Tunis, Tunisia ; (3) Dermatology department, La Rabta hospital, Tunis, Tunisia Author

Keywords:

Lichen planus, Child, Skin disease

Abstract

Lichen planus (LP) is an autoimmune, chronic inflammatory dermatological condition seldom encountered in children, with limited data available outside the Indian subcontinent. This retrospective study delves into the epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, and treatment responses of LP in Tunisian children, spanning two decades. Among 255 LP patients, 11 (4.3%) were children aged 18 or younger. The median age of onset was 15 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.7. Pruritus was a universal symptom, with skin involvement observed in most cases. Classic LP was the predominant morphological variant. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment outcomes varied, with some patients experiencing complete clearance and others partial improvement. Actinic LP cases exhibited seasonal recurrences.

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Published

2023-06-30

Issue

No. 30 (2023): April / June 2023

Section

Original Article

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