Objective:

Herpes zoster (HZ) occurs due to reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus and is rare in childhood. HZ is believed to be rare, frequently mild and postzoster neuralgia rarely if ever occurs. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the clinical features, associated diseases, treatment and complications of children diagnosed as HZ at the Dermatology Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey.

Material and Methods:

Fourteen patients aged from 15 months to15 years who were admitted to our Dermatology Clinic with the diagnosis of HZ between January and December of 2011, were evaluated retrospectively for age, history of chickenpox infection, dermatomal involvement, associated diseases, month of onset, complications and treatment.

Results:

A total of 14 patients were included in the study; 10 male and four female. The mean of age was eight years old. According to the clinical and laboratory assessment there was not any comorbid disease or immunosuppression in our patients. The only patient without a history of previous varicella infection had a history of varicella at his siblings. Nine patients had thoracic dermatome involvement, while the rest had lumbar (n=3), sacral (n= 1) and trigeminal (n=1) dermatome involvement. The most common symptoms were pruritus (n=6) and mild pain (n=5) respectively while three of all patients had no symptoms. HZ occurred mostly in January and August. Two patients were treated with parenteral acyclovir, six of them had acyclovir treatment peroral and four of them had valacyclovir treatment. None of the patients had postherpetic neuralgia or another complication of HZ.

Conclusion:

HZ can be seen in otherwise healthy children. Accompaying of pain during the zoster infection is rare and mild compared with adults. Postherpetic neuralgia was not observed. HZ can also be observed in healthy children so if the history and physical examination are normal, our opinion is not to make unnecessary tests in children.

Keywords: Herpes zoster, child, varicella-zoster virus