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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Assessment of Acute Acral Lesions in a Case Series of Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Importance A novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has recently been identified as the cause of a pandemic called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this context, some associated skin diseases have been described. Cutaneous lesions referred to as acute acro-ischemia have been reported as a possible sign of COVID-19 in adolescents and children. Objective To evaluate the pathogenesis of these newly described acute acral lesions. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective case series was conducted at La Fe University Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in Valencia, Spain, between April 9 and April 15, 2020. Among 32 referred patients, 20 children and adolescents with new-onset inflammatory lesions did not have a diagnosis. Exposures Patients were not exposed to any drug or other intervention. Main Outcomes and Measures We performed reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 and a range of blood tests for possible origins of the lesions. Skin biopsies were performed in 6 patients. Results Of the 20 patients enrolled, 7 were female and 13 were male, with an age range of 1 to 18 years. Clinical findings fit into the following patterns: acral erythema (6 patients), dactylitis (4 patients), purpuric maculopapules (7 patients), and a mixed pattern (3 patients). None of the patients had remarkable hematologic or serologic abnormalities, including negative antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Biopsies performed in 6 patients showed histologic findings characteristic of perniosis. Conclusions and Relevance The clinical, histologic, and laboratory test results were compatible with a diagnosis of perniosis, and no evidence was found to support the implication of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This case series describes 20 children and adolescents who presented with new-onset acral inflammatory lesions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Question What is the association between acute acral lesions and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children and adolescents? Findings In this case series of 20 patients aged 1 to 18 years with new-onset acral inflammatory lesions, all lacked systemic manifestations of COVID-19. Both reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and serologic test results were negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Meaning An association between acral skin disease and COVID-19 has yet to be proved.