Juvenile dermatomyositis: literature review and report of a case.

Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.

Dermatomyositis is a rare disease of unknown origin, which affects both children and adults. In the juvenile form, dermatomyositis is a multisystem disease, characterized by myositis; an erythematous rash over the bridge of the nose, around the eyes, and on the trunk and limbs; vasculitis; and dilatation of the capillaries in the nail beds and gum margin. Late development of calcinosis is seen in approximately two-thirds of the patients. This case describes a 5-year-old dental patient diagnosed with dermatomyositis. This article includes the clinical manifestations of dermatomyositis in the body and in the oral cavity as well as the considerations that should be taken when treating these patients.

PMID: 11915635 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]