A 12-year-old Girl with Severe Plaque Psoriasis and Down Syndrome Treated Successfully with Etanercept

Abstract

The association between Down syndrome and psoriasis is unclear. Immunological abnormalities that present in individuals with Down syndrome result in mild immune debilitation, thus the risk of infectious complications during immunosuppressive therapy might be higher in this group of patients. We present a case of 12-year-old girl with severe plaque psoriasis and Down syndrome, who was initially treated with cyclosporine with good response. However, the drug was withdrawn due to massive viral warts development and loss of efficacy. Afterwards, the girl was treated with etanercept in short 10 week and long 24 week courses with excellent response. The presented case is the first report of a child with Down syndrome and concomitant severe plaque psoriasis treated successfully with etanercept.