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Acanthosis nigricans in Child
See also in: Anogenital
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Acanthosis nigricans in Child

See also in: Anogenital
Contributors: Kyle Cheng MD, Belinda Tan MD, PhD, Oyetewa Oyerinde MD, Callyn Iwuala BA, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a localized skin disorder typically characterized by symmetric hyperpigmented velvety plaques in skin folds. It is due to overstimulation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes via insulin-like growth factor receptors and tyrosine kinase receptors. AN is most commonly associated with obesity and is a marker of insulin resistance. A 2007 study found that up to 90% of youth with AN also carried a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.

AN is classified into 8 types:

I. Obesity-associated – Most common; linked to diabetes, insulin resistance, high body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome, etc.

II. Malignancy-associated / cutaneous paraneoplastic syndrome – Very rare in children, but has been documented with juvenile gastric adenocarcinoma (most common), Wilms tumor, and osteogenic sarcomas.

III. Drug-induced – Niacin (nicotinic acid) is the most closely associated medication, but AN can also be caused by oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, diethylstilbestrol, heroin, fusidic acid, methyltestosterone, protease inhibitors, and folate.

IV. Syndromic – Related to a specific syndrome, eg, HAIR-AN (hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and acanthosis nigricans) syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or autoimmune-disease, among others.

V. Acral – Affects elbows, knees, and knuckles. Typically seen in healthy sub-Saharan African patients.

VI. Unilateral – Also called nevoid. Usually represents an epidermal nevus in childhood.

VII. Benign – Rare autosomal dominant form developing at birth or during childhood. Typically stabilizes or regresses during puberty.

VIII. Mixed – Any 2 or more of the above types combined.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L83 – Acanthosis nigricans

SNOMEDCT:
402599005 – Acanthosis nigricans

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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Drug Reaction Data

Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.

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References

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Last Updated:10/23/2018
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Patient Information for Acanthosis nigricans in Child
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Contributors: Medical staff writer

Overview

Acanthosis nigricans is a condition of abnormal thickening and darkening of the skin, especially in body creases. It most commonly occurs in obese people, though it can occasionally be found in people who have more serious health problems or are taking certain medications. Treatment of the medical condition usually cures the skin lesions.

Who’s At Risk

Acanthosis nigricans can affect individuals of any age and of any ethnic background. It can develop in children and in teenagers, though it is more common in adults. Acanthosis nigricans is also more common in people with darker skin. Males and females are affected equally.

Acanthosis nigricans commonly develops in:
  • Overweight or obese people
  • People with diabetes or other glandular (endocrine) problems
  • People taking certain medications (for example, oral contraceptives, niacinamide, or corticosteroids)
  • People who have had kidney transplants

Signs & Symptoms

The most common locations for acanthosis nigricans include:
  • Sides and back of the neck
  • Armpits
  • Groin
Less commonly, acanthosis nigricans can affect the:
  • Face
  • Inner thighs
  • Elbows
  • Knees
  • Belly button (navel)
Rarely, acanthosis nigricans can occur in the:
  • Nipples
  • Eyelids
  • Lips
  • Inside of the mouth
  • Anus
The lesions of acanthosis nigricans appear as "velvety" thickenings of the outer skin, and they can range in color from gray to brown to black. Darker-skinned people tend to have darker lesions.

Self-Care Guidelines

Because most people who develop acanthosis nigricans are overweight, their skin lesions can improve dramatically and even go away when they lose weight. Other medical conditions that cause these lesions should be treated as well.

Other treatments are:
  • Lose weight, changing diet and exercise habits
  • Apply over-the-counter preparations containing alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid or lactic acid
  • Apply over-the-counter lotions containing the beta-hydroxy acid salicylic acid
  • Apply over-the-counter creams containing urea
  • Apply over-the-counter cortisone cream (if the areas are itchy)

When to Seek Medical Care

See your child's primary doctor if the child develops thickening and darkening of the skin folds. If the acanthosis nigricans is due to obesity, the doctor can help you find healthy ways for your child to lose weight.

See the doctor immediately if your child suddenly develops widespread acanthosis nigricans (affecting the skin folds as well as the palms of the hands, the lips, and other areas). The doctor may be able to diagnose and treat a more serious medical condition that is causing the acanthosis nigricans.

Treatments

The doctor will try to establish the cause of the acanthosis nigricans. If it is due to obesity, then the doctor can help you find ways for your child to lose weight. If obesity is not a factor, the doctor may order blood tests, X-rays, or other types of tests to find the cause.

Once the medical condition has been diagnosed and treatment has been started, the doctor may recommend a topical cream or lotion containing:
  • Prescription-strength alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid)
  • Prescription-strength urea
  • A retinoid such as tretinoin, tazarotene, or adapalene
For more severe, stubborn acanthosis nigricans, oral treatments may include:
  • Fish oils taken as diet supplements
  • Isotretinoin (a very strong medication with many potential side effects, often used in the treatment of severe, scarring acne)
Other procedures, not usually covered by insurance, include:
  • Dermabrasion (a mechanical process of controlled, surgical scraping of the skin)
  • Laser treatments (which make the skin thinner by destroying the uppermost layers)

References


Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.712-115, 1717. New York: Mosby, 2003.

Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6th ed, pp. 1652, 1796. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
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Acanthosis nigricans in Child
See also in: Anogenital
A medical illustration showing key findings of Acanthosis nigricans : Axilla, Hyperpigmented patch, Neck
Clinical image of Acanthosis nigricans - imageId=40959. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Acanthotic, thickened, ridged, and hyperpigmented plaques on the posterior neck.'
Acanthotic, thickened, ridged, and hyperpigmented plaques on the posterior neck.
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