Although rosacea rarely appears in children, its potential
occurrence should be considered during medical examinations
because of the possible severity of ocular (eye) involvement,
according to a report in the February 2008 issue of the Archives
of Dermatology. Researchers Dr. Mélanie Chamaillard and
colleagues at the National Reference Center for Rare Skin
Disorders, Bordeaux, France, suggested that an ophthalmologic
(eye) examination be carried out for all children with skin
signs of rosacea. The signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea in
children may be frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, the
researchers said. They examined the records of 20 children with
rosacea from 1½ to 14 years old, and noted that though most had
minor ocular involvement, five had more serious eye
manifestations that if undetected could lead to severe infection
and visual impairment. Chamaillard M, Mortemousque B, Boralevi
F, Marques da Costa C, Aitali F, Taïeb A, Léauté-Labrèze C.
Cutaneous and ocular signs of childhood rosacea.