A case of severe cutaneous involvement on initial clinical presentation of juvenile dermatomyositis

Abstract

Juvenile dermatomyositis is an autoimmune vasculopathy affecting children and adolescents, principally between the ages of four and 16 years. Its main clinical manifestations are symmetrical proximal muscle weakness, elevated serum muscle enzymes and the presence of cutaneous lesions, such as heliotrope and Gottron’s papules. Herein we describe a case of juvenile dermatomyositis with a precocious time of onset at 18 months of age, notably presenting with severe ulcerative cutaneous lesions and vasculopathy likely due to gastrointestinal involvement, which required immediate treatment with immunosuppressants.