Up to 30% percent of pediatric primary care visits include a skin-related problem, and referrals are hampered by appointment wait times among the longest of any pediatric subspecialty. Despite the clear demand for pediatric dermatologists, there has been a long-standing shortage of providers, leaving dermatology as one of the most underserved pediatric subspecialties. Another consequence of the workforce shortage is the limited opportunity for pediatric dermatology training for residents and postgraduate general pediatricians and dermatologists. This review includes the evolution of the subspecialty from conception through the present, along with obstacles to workforce expansion and potential solutions to improve access to care for children with skin diseases.

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Studies have suggested there is a shortage of pediatric dermatologists in the United States, but the workforce has not been well defined. The Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) Workforce Committee sought to characterize the US pediatric dermatology workforce with a nine‐question survey, sent to all 484 US SPD members in December 2016. The response rate was 30%. Most pediatric dermatologists were practicing in major metropolitan markets, seeing an average of 80 patients a week with an average 6‐week wait time. These findings indicate that geographic maldistribution and long wait times for new patient appointments remain substantial hurdles for adequate access to subspecialty pediatric dermatology care.

There is controversy regarding precise definitions for Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and erythema multiforme (EM) major because of overlap in clinical presentations. SJS and EM major associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae have been reported to occur in children, but Mycoplasma is more commonly reported with SJS. We sought to further characterize Mycoplasma-associated mucocutaneous disease. Through retrospective chart review over 10 years, six children hospitalized with a diagnosis of SJS who also tested positive for Mycoplasma infection were reviewed. Using documented physical examinations and photographs, diagnoses of SJS or EM major were retrospectively made based upon cutaneous lesional morphology employing the classification system proposed by Bastuji-Garin et al. The majority of patients were boys, with limited acral cutaneous lesions. All patients required prolonged hospitalization because of mucosal involvement and had good short-term outcomes. When the classification system was retrospectively applied, five of the six patients were reclassified with a diagnosis of EM major instead of SJS. Children with Mycoplasma-associated EM major and SJS in our small retrospective series appeared to have significant mucosal involvement but more limited cutaneous involvement with lesional morphology, which is more characteristic of EM major.

BackgroundLimited data are available on the association between vitiligo and autoimmune thyroid disease in pediatric patients. In addition, reported studies of pediatric patients have been based on a population known to have vitiligo and subsequently evaluated for the presence of thyroid function abnormalities.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed on 333 children who had been followed for thyroid disorders by endocrinologists at the Yale Pediatric Thyroid Center over the last 5 years for autoimmune thyroid disease. Demographical and clinical features of patients found to have thyroid disease and vitiligo were recorded. These studies were approved by the Yale Human Investigation Committee.ResultsOf the total 333 children and adolescents, 9 (2.7%) were noted to have vitiligo. Four patients (44%) had Graves' disease and 5 patients (66%) had Hashimoto's thyroiditis. For patients with Graves' disease and vitiligo, the average age of onset of thyroid disease was young at 4 ± 0.7 years, and the diagnosis of vitiligo usually preceded that of thyroid disease. For children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and vitiligo, thyroid disease was diagnosed at an average age of 13.25 ± 2.8 years.ConclusionIn our population, 4.6% of children with Graves' disease and 2.0% of children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis had vitiligo. Interestingly, when vitiligo presents with Graves' disease, it occurs in younger rather than older children.

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a disorder marked by skin and mucosal blistering after minimal trauma. Even the most routine procedures in the hospital, if done incorrectly, can precipitate extensive skin loss, pain, and scarring. Most providers have little experience working with patients with this degree of skin fragility. When a person with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is admitted to the hospital, there are multiple considerations to keep in mind while strategizing an effective care plan: avoidance of new blisters with a "hands-off" approach; careful consideration of all indwelling devices; symptomatic management of pain, itch, and anxiety; coordination of dressing changes; aggressive treatment of skin infections; environmental and staffing considerations; and awareness of other chronic complications that affect care, such as anemia, malnutrition, and chronic pain. To minimize discomfort for patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa during the hospital stay, inpatient care teams should understand these considerations and modify the care plan accordingly. Prior preparation by the hospital facility and inpatient care team will facilitate the delivery of safe and effective care and greatly improve the overall patient experience.

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Pediatric autoimmune blistering disorders are exceedingly rare. Of these, childhood bullous pemphigoid (CBP) is the most common IgG-mediated subepidermal bullous disease in the pediatric population. Tense acral blisters, especially on the soles and palms, are characteristic of the infantile presentation. Patients with CBP present with varied dermatoses, making clinical diagnosis alone difficult. Definitive diagnosis is made with direct immunofluorescence revealing linear deposition of IgG and/or C3 at the basement membrane zone (BMZ) or indirect immunofluorescence revealing IgG antibodies reacting with the BMZ. First-line treatment is oral prednisolone dosed at 1 to 2 mg/kg and then tapered slowly to avoid rebound disease. The length of treatment depends on the rate of remission.