Sarcoidosis in children

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown etiology that is rarely diagnosed in children. When mass screening is performed, the incidence of the disease in children approaches that of adults with similar demographics. Most childhood cases occur around ages 9 to 15 years, with small clusters of cases occurring in children under age 4 years. The disease in these two age groups has very different clinical features. Children under age 4 have a clinical triad of rash, arthritis, and uveitis. The classic syndrome in older children involves primarily lungs, lymph nodes, and eyes. In older children, constitutional symptoms (fatigue, lethargy, malaise) and pulmonary symptoms (cough, dyspnea) predominate. Mortality in childhood sarcoidosis is about 5%, with long-term sequelae in 10% to 20%. Early recognition may prevent complications such as blindness, pulmonary insufficiency, and renal impairment.