Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyDrug Reaction DataReferences

Information for Patients

View all Images (6)

Raynaud phenomenon in Child
See also in: Nail and Distal Digit
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Raynaud phenomenon in Child

See also in: Nail and Distal Digit
Contributors: Elyse M. Love MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Raynaud phenomenon is a vascular disorder characterized by intermittent arteriolar vasospasm of the digits, most often due to cold temperature or stress. Symptoms present with characteristic changing of hands from white (pallor) to blue (cyanosis) to red (hyperemia), although all 3 phases may not be present in each individual. Raynaud phenomenon is divided into primary and secondary with varied clinical courses.

Primary Raynaud phenomenon typically follows a less severe course than secondary Raynaud phenomenon. In primary Raynaud phenomenon, also termed Raynaud disease, vasospasm is not associated with ischemic injury or an underlying associated disease. Primary Raynaud phenomenon typically presents at a younger age (< 30 years), involves all fingers symmetrically excluding the thumbs, and is not painful. Patients do not have a history of peripheral vascular disease or ischemic injury. Antinuclear antibody titers are normal or low (< 1:40 on indirect immunofluorescence), and nail fold capillaries are normal.

Secondary Raynaud phenomenon is associated with an underlying disease, usually a connective tissue disease of which systemic sclerosis is the most common. Because vasospasm is associated with concurrent ischemia, attacks are typically painful and asymmetric involvement of digits or hands is common. Digital ulcerations or necrosis, digital tuft pits, pterygium inversum, and tortuous nail fold capillaries with capillary dropout may be seen.

Additional associations include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary hypertension, frostbite, hematologic malignancies, polyvinyl chloride exposure, cryoglobulinemia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, repeated trauma / vibration, arteriovenous fistula, intra-arterial drug administration, thoracic outlet syndrome, thromboangiitis obliterans, and Takayasu arteritis.

Raynaud phenomenon is considered to be rare in childhood. Raynaud phenomenon that presents in childhood should be closely worked up to exclude underlying causes. Patients should be followed closely as Raynaud phenomenon can precede other symptoms of connective tissue disease by years.

Codes

ICD10CM:
I73.00 – Raynaud's syndrome without gangrene

SNOMEDCT:
266261006 – Raynaud's Phenomenon

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

Drug Reaction Data

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:11/13/2017
Last Updated:06/20/2022
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Patient Information for Raynaud phenomenon in Child
Print E-Mail Images (6)
Contributors: Medical staff writer
Premium Feature
VisualDx Patient Handouts
Available in the Elite package
  • Improve treatment compliance
  • Reduce after-hours questions
  • Increase patient engagement and satisfaction
  • Written in clear, easy-to-understand language. No confusing jargon.
  • Available in English and Spanish
  • Print out or email directly to your patient
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Raynaud phenomenon in Child
See also in: Nail and Distal Digit
A medical illustration showing key findings of Raynaud phenomenon : All fingernails or distal fingers, Bilateral distribution, Blue color, Cold exposure, Cyanosis, White color
Clinical image of Raynaud phenomenon - imageId=239203. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Violaceous crusted plaques and papules on the toes.'
Violaceous crusted plaques and papules on the toes.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.