Clinico-epidemiological profile of eruptive hypomelanosis in children: A case series

Back Ground: Eruptive hypomelanosis (EH), a novel paraviral exanthem is characterized by the acute onset of asymptomatic hypopigmented macules typically affecting the face and extremities often following a prodromal viral illness in paediatric age group. EH can mimic common hypopigmentary conditions such as pityriasis alba, pityriasis versicolor and progressive macular hypomelanosis leading to misdiagnosis and unnecessary management. Observations: This case series describes 14 paediatric patients with eruptive hypomelanosis, all of whom presented with characterstic uniform clinical presentation. The defining feature was the sudden eruption of multiple, asymptomatic, symmetrical ill-defined hypopigmented macules with fine minimal scaling following a recent febrile or respiratory illness. Three children showed eosinophilia, elevated IgE levels, atopy, and two children had transient lymphadenopathy respectively. In all the cases lesions resolved spontaneously within 2 weeks to 2 months with simple supportive care like emollients and multivitamins. Conclusion and Relevance: Eruptive hypomelanosis is a benign, self-limiting, postviral hypopigmentary eruption in children. Our series emphasizes a unique facial-predominant presentation, expanding the known clinical spectrum of this underrecognized paraviral entity. Awareness of this specific presentation is crucial for clinicians to ensure accurate diagnosis, avoid misidentification as other hypopigmentary disorders, and prevent unnecessary investigations and treatment