Three Viral Exanthems Are Being Seen More Often Than in the Past.(Statistical Data Included)(Brief Article)

MIAMI BEACH -- Several viral exanthems are occurring more often than they have in the past, according to Dr. Bernice Krafchik.

Among those she discussed at the annual Masters of Pediatrics conference sponsored by the University of Miami were:

* Unilateral Laterothoracic Exanthem. Eczematous eruptions in the axillary or groin areas characterize this condition, which is also known as asymmetric periflexural exanthem of childhood.

Children who are otherwise well develop the sometimes itchy sometimes asymptomatic lesions. The lesions develop unilaterally and generalize over a period of 2-4 weeks. Prognosis is good; the lesions usually disappear within 8 weeks, said Dr. Krafchik, director of the division of dermatology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Although several investigators have attempted to identify an etiology for the condition, none has been found. But some physicians are reporting that they are seeing patients with this condition frequently.

"I haven't seen a case in the past 6 months; it seems to come in waves, which makes it more likely this is infectious," Dr. Krafchik said.

* Acute Hemorrhagic Edema of Infancy. This cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis looks "horrendous" and can involve the entire face and parts of the upper body but affected children are actually quite well in most cases, Dr. Krafchik said.