Body asymmetry is the most common anomaly associated with CMTC; other associations might be pure chance. In order to separate CMTC from other vascular malformations, notably Klippel-Trénaunay syndrome, we suggest diagnostic criteria for their differentiation.

Given the high prevalence of intramuscular injections during infancy, NiS seems to be a rare event, but there is a possibility of under-reporting of less severe reactions. Our retrospective data do not allow a true risk assessment. The most worrying aspect of NiS, however, is its lack of predictability. As long as complete avoidance of the intramuscular route is not an option, it is obvious that NiS cannot be completely prevented.

We report ten infants (mean gestational age: 30 weeks; range: 25 to 40 weeks) with zinc deficiency dermatitis who developed erosive, impetiginized periorificial dermatitis at 10 weeks of age (corresponding to a mean gestational age of 41.4 weeks, with a range of 36-44 weeks), but who were otherwise well. Cutaneous symptoms were initially misdiagnosed as eczema or impetigo in 8/10 (80%) children who received either topical (4/8) and/or systemic (6/8) antibiotics. Topical corticosteroids were applied in 4/10 infants for a mean time of 4 weeks (range: 2 to 5 weeks) before the correct diagnosis was established by decreased serum zinc levels; skin atrophy (telangiectasia, thinning) as a complication of topical steroid treatment (class II steroids) was observed in two infants. All children responded to oral therapy with zinc sulfate or zinc gluconate (1.5-4 mg/kg/d). Skin lesions started to clear within 24 h after the initiation of therapy and had completely cleared in all infants after 14 days of therapy (range: 3-14 days). We conclude that nutritional zinc deficiency is a frequently misdiagnosed problem in thriving, fully breast-fed preterm babies. It is attributable to the decreased zinc content of human milk as compared to cow's milk, and the increased demand of zinc in rapidly thriving preterm infants. It seems advisable to routinely check serum zinc levels in fully breast-fed preterm infants who do not receive regular oral zinc supplementation once they reach a gestational age of 40 weeks.

We report three cases of neonatal haemangiomatosis associated with large placental chorioangioma. Pregnancies were complicated by polyhydramnios, and all mothers underwent amniocentesis to drain the liquid. Steroid treatment was required for two children. Although the theory has been largely disproved in normal haemangiomas, embolization of precursor endothelial cells derived from placental vessels is a likely explanation for the pathogenesis of haemangiomatosis associated with large placental chorioangiomas.

We report a 4-week-old male infant with intermittent asymptomatic bouts of vermicular movements of the skin (myokymia). Myokymia started at the age of 4 days. Attacks occurred approximately every 30-60 minutes and could be elicited by gently stroking the skin. Macroscopically no abnormalities typical for smooth muscle hamartoma such as hypertrichosis or hyperpigmentation were observed. Histologic examination of a skin biopsy specimen showed bundles of hyperplastic smooth muscle tissue within the reticular dermis which were associated with hair follicles. Karyotyping did not reveal any structural or numeric chromosomal anomaly. The findings led to the diagnosis of congenital smooth muscle hamartoma. On follow-up at the age of 24 months myokymia persisted, but with a marked reduction in the number of attacks per day. The phenomenon of myokymia results from neurally induced spontaneous contraction of dermal smooth muscles. It is also known as "pseudo-Darier's sign." While most of those affected previously reported had hypertrichosis or hyperpigmentation, this patient seems to be the first to present with myokymia alone.

The diagnosis of CTCL is frequently delayed in young children. It needs to be considered in chronic 'eczematous' skin lesions irrespective of the patient's age, and including infants.

We report a 15-year-old boy with a 2 year history of erythematous, linear atrophic lesions on the dorsum penis and the inner part of the praeputium. A biopsy revealed changes typical of linear porokeratosis. Potential implications for subsequent development of penile carcinoma are discussed.

Chickenpox in children may be complicated by local or systemic bacterial infections. Group A streptococci and S. aureus are the predominant pathogens. Children with atopic dermatitis are particularly prone to bacterial superinfection. After the introduction of universal varicella vaccination in the USA ten years ago, the number of serious bacterial soft tissue infections in children dropped significantly. Since 2004, the VZV immunization has also been included in the routine German series.Many children with atopic dermatitis have not been immunized because of concerns on the part of parents or physicians. Recent studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of VZV vaccination in children with atopic dermatitis who appear to benefit particularly from this vaccination.