Review article: Emerging issues in pediatric skin of color, part 1

Abstract

Dermatology for the pediatric skin of color population is the application of dermatology to the genetically diverse and distinctive segment of the pediatric population that includes children of non-White racial and ethnic groups with increased pigmentation including individuals of Asian, LatinX, African, Native American, Pacific Island descent, Indigenous Peoples, among others, with overlap in particular individuals, and mixtures thereof. Treating children of color is a unique skill set within the field of pediatric dermatology, requiring knowledge and sensitivity. The discipline of pediatric skin of color can be challenging. Difficulty in diagnosis of common conditions stems from underlying pigmentation, variations in common hairstyling practices, and differences in demographics of cutaneous disease, whereas some conditions are more common in children of color, other conditions have nuances in clinical appearance and/or therapeutics with regard to skin color. This article is the first in a series of two articles looking at recently published skin-related issues of high concern in children of color. Conditions reviewed in Part 1 include (1) hairstyling hair-related concerns (traction alopecia, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, endocrine disruption), (2) autoimmune concerns (cutaneous lupus, vitiligo), and (3) infections (tinea capitis, progressive macular hypomelanosis).

Keywords: alopecia; collagen vascular disorders; endocrine disrupters; lupus erythematosus; vitiligo.