Juvenile pemphigus

Seven cases of juvenile pemphigus vulgaris and one case of juvenile pemphigus foliaceus are presented. A detailed review of the literature is also presented. The majority of patients with juvenile pemphigus develop pemphigus vulgaris. The patients present with a wide clinical spectrum. The oral cavity is frequently involved. The mean duration is 4 years. Clinical follow-up is similar to the adult variety. Several patients warrant high doses of systemic corticosteroids and develop serious side effects, most notably growth retardation and opportunistic infections. Short-term judicious use of immunosuppressive agents is advocated. Dapsone is a helpful adjuvant to therapy. It is proposed that relevant immunofluorescent studies be done very early. Early diagnosis and therapy are associated with a better prognosis.