Acute Hemorrhagic Infancy of Edema: A Purpuric Rash in 6-Month-Old Infant

• Authors: Pareen Shah, Emory University; Katherine McGlamry, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; Amit Thakral, Emory University
• Journal Title: Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
• Volume: Volume 9
• Publisher: SAGE Publishing | 2021-01-01, Pages 23247096211017413-23247096211017413
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/23247096211017413
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: autoimmune; edema; pediatric; rash; Acute Disease; Edema; Exanthema; Humans; Infant; Male; Purpura; Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous

Abstract

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI) is a cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis presenting with purpura, ecchymosis, fever, and edema. Pediatricians must effectively differentiate AHEI from other diseases that have similar presentations but are more severe in order to treat appropriately without overutilizing expensive, unnecessary diagnostic tests. In this article, we describe a case of a 6-month-old previously well male who presented to our institution with a worsening rash and fever. In this case, the patient’s age and benign clinical manifestations without systemic involvement favored the diagnosis of AHEI over more serious conditions. This case is a valuable example of the clinical findings of AHEI and the effectiveness of conservative therapy once a diagnosis is made for pediatricians, especially emergency and urgent care physicians.