Hyperkeratosis in Skin Dimples in Children With Down Syndrome

Susana Giraldi; Betina Werner; Mariana Aparecida Pasa Morgan; Antonio Torrelo

doi:10.1111/pde.15813

Hyperkeratosis in Skin Dimples in Children With Down Syndrome

Pediatr Dermatol. 2024 Nov 6. doi: 10.1111/pde.15813. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Susana Giraldi¹, Betina Werner², Mariana Aparecida Pasa Morgan^{3

4}, Antonio Torrelo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Pediatric Dermatology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Paraná, UFPR, Curitiba, Brazil.
² Pathology Department, Federal University of Paraná, UFPR, Curitiba, Brazil.
³ Postgraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Federal University of Paraná, UFPR, Curitiba, Brazil.
⁴ Ceres Faculty, Medical School of São José Do Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil.
⁵ Department of Dermatology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain.

PMID: 39504583
DOI: 10.1111/pde.15813

Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is a common chromosomal disorder with distinct phenotypes and skin markers. This study reports 39 DS patients, aged 1-44 months, who presented from birth with rough, brownish skin in the dimples of their knees and/or elbows. Dermoscopy revealed hyperkeratosis with brownish scales, and biopsies in six cases showed papillomatosis and mild hyperkeratosis. In the cases followed, the condition resolved spontaneously. Hyperkeratosis in the skin dimples on the knees and elbows seems to be a congenital and perhaps characteristic finding in patients with DS.

Keywords: children; dimple; down syndrome; hyperkeratosis; skin.