Immunofluorescent Studies of Pemphigus Foliaceus in a Child

We report the youngest patient with pemphigus foliaceus on record, a 3-year-old boy. Although there are reports of pemphigus foliaceus in childhood, the diagnosis is often difficult. In our patient the clinical and histopathologic diagnosis was readily confirmed by demonstrating fixed and circulating pemphigus antibodies, which react with the intercellular areas of stratified squamous epithelium as demonstrated by direct and indirect immunofluorescence. There was no direct correlation between antibody titer and convalescence.