Authors

Peter Theut Riis, Ditte Marie Saunte, Viktoria Sigsgaard, Axel Patrice Villani, Philippe Guillem, José C Pascual, Naomi N Kappe, Annika M J D Vanlaerhoven, Hessel H van der Zee, Errol P Prens, Moetaz El-Domyati, Hossam Abdel-Wahab, Nayera Moftah, Rania Abdelghani, Eugenia Agut-Busquet, Jorge Romaní, Carol Hlela, Lerinza van den Worm, Vincenzo Bettoli, Giada Calamo, Mehmet Ali Gürer, Burcu Beksaç, Lukasz Matusiak, Amelia Glowaczewska, Jacek C Szepietowski, Lennart Emtestam, Jan Lapins, Hassan Riad Kottb, Mohammad Fatani, Lisa Weibel, Martin Theiler, Maïa Delage-Toriel, Thi Thanh Hong Lam, Aude Nassif, Pierre-Andre Becherel, Mateja Dolenc-Voljc, Nejib Doss, Dorra Bouazzi, Farida Benhadou, Veronique Del Marmol, Gregor B E Jemec

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) rarely affects pediatric patients. The literature on pediatric HS patients is scarce. This is a cross-sectional study based on case note review or interviews and clinical examination of 140 pediatric patients undergoing secondary or tertiary level care. Patients were predominantly female (75.5%, n = 105) with a median age of 16. 39% reported 1st-degree relative with HS. Median BMI percentile was 88, and 11% were smokers (n = 15). Median modified Sartorius score was 8.5. Notable comorbidities found were acne (32.8%, n = 45), hirsutism (19.3%, n = 27), and pilonidal cysts (16.4%, n = 23). Resorcinol (n = 27) and clindamycin (n = 25) were the most frequently used topical treatments. Patients were treated with tetracycline (n = 32), or oral clindamycin and rifampicin in combination (n = 29). Surgical excision was performed in 18 patients, deroofing in five and incision in seven patients. Obesity seemed to be prominent in the pediatric population and correlated to parent BMI, suggesting a potential for preventive measures for the family. Disease management appeared to be similar to that of adult HS, bearing in mind that the younger the patient, the milder the disease in majority of cases.