[Clinical characteristics of children with scleroderma in a referral hospital].

INTRODUCTION: Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that involves the connective tissue characterized by skin fibrosis, classified as localized and systemic (participation of one or more internal organs). The primary objective of this study is to describe and analyze the clinical and laboratory findings in a group of children diagnosed with scleroderma at a referral hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Extraction of data from clinical charts of children with scleroderma in the rheumatology department at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, between January 2000 and December 2007.

RESULTS: Sixty two patients were included in the group. All of them completed the classification criteria for juvenile sclerodema, both systemic and localized. The mean age at diagnosis was 7.8 (1-14) years. The mean time from disease onset to diagnosis, based on clinical manifestations, was 23 months. The lesions found were: linear scleroderma (42%), mixed morphea (22%), circumscribed morphea (19%), generalized morphea (13%) and panclerotic morphea (4%). Involvement associated with Systemic Scleroderma was gastrointestinal 100% (18 patients), pulmonary 100% (18/18), Raynaud's phenomenon 89% (16/18), proximal sclerosis 89% (16/18), sclerodactilia 67% (12/18), joint pain 28% (5/18), calcinosis 56% (10/18). Positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were present in 14/62 (23%) patients (10 with systemic range and 4 localized), antiSCL 70 in 2/62 (4%) cases. The most common drug used was methotrexate.

CONCLUSION: The most common skin lesions found were linear morphea, followed by the mixed and circumscribed types. In systemic scleroderma the most involved systems are the gastrointestinal, respiratory and vascular (associated with Raynaud's phenomenon). There is a special need for knowledge of this disease in first contact physicians for a faster and better diagnosis and treatment, in order to avoid complications. It is also necessary to improve resources in developing countries for complimentary studies, classification, treatment and follow-up.