Lichen striatus in children: A clinical study of ten cases with review of literature

Abstract

Background: Lichen striatus is an idiopathic self-limiting inflammatory linear dermatosis, mostly affecting children. There is a definite paucity of studies on the clinical profile of lichen striatus in children from India. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical profile of lichen striatus in children. Materials and Methods: The present observational study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, from June 2014 to May 2015. All children up to 13 years presenting with lichen striatus in the Dermatology Outpatient Department of Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, were taken as study participants. A detailed general, systemic, and cutaneous examination was done. Relevant investigations were carried out whenever necessary. The findings were recorded in a pro forma for analysis and interpretation of data. Results: The prevalence of lichen striatus in our outpatient pediatric population was 0.48%. Female cases outnumbered males with a ratio of 4:1. The mean age of onset was found to be 4.7 years. Upper extremities and trunk were the most common sites involved. An association with atopy was noted in 30% of the cases. Conclusion: Long-term studies with increased number of cases will help in better understanding of this rare disease in children and also its association with atopy.

Keywords

• Atopy
• lichen striatus
• linear dermatosis