Herpes zoster in Child
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Synopsis
Involvement of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve may lead to herpes zoster ophthalmicus. Herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay-Hunt syndrome) occurs with involvement of the vestibulocochlear nerve. Herpes zoster duplex is the simultaneous occurrence of zoster in 2 noncontiguous dermatomes and herpes zoster multiplex refers to this phenomenon occurring in more than 2 dermatomes. While most patients with herpes zoster duplex or multiplex are adults, children affected by this condition have also been reported.
Although the onset of cutaneous zoster in adults typically involves a 1- to 3-day prodrome of burning pain or tingling in the affected dermatome, this is rarely observed in children. Postherpetic neuralgia is also rare in children. Other less frequently encountered post-zoster sequelae include herpes zoster granulomatous dermatitis.
If it occurs, zoster encephalitis usually appears in the first 2 weeks after the onset of lesions and has a 10%-20% mortality rate. Disseminated zoster occurs 5-10 days after the onset of dermatomal disease. It is defined as more than 20 lesions outside the initial dermatome of involvement.
Immunocompromised patient considerations: Immunocompromised patients have a higher risk of disseminated zoster. In patients with HIV and AIDS, multidermatomal, necrotic, or recurrent zoster may occur. Persistent ulcers and chronic hyperkeratotic zoster are further manifestations. A strong association of herpes zoster multiplex with underlying malignancy (especially lymphoma) was reported in one retrospective study.
Codes
B02.9 – Zoster without complications
SNOMEDCT:
4740000 – Herpes zoster
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Last Updated:10/11/2021
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