CHILD Syndrome Treatment & Management

Updated: Aug 20, 2019
  • Author: Amanda T Moon, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD  more...
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Treatment

Approach Considerations

Skin disease seen in CHILD (congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects) syndrome can be treated with topical retinoids, topical emollient ointments, or systemic retinoids. [42, 43] Keratolytics have also been used for symptomatic relief of dry, scaling skin. Lactic acid 12% creams or lotions alleviate itching, while urea creams improve dryness. [34] A cream composed of 2% cholesterol and 2% lovastatin has been shown to be effective in treating ichthyosis through its ability to deliver functional cholesterol while also inhibiting accumulation of toxic metabolites. [9]

Surgical excision of skin lesions is also an option in certain cases. Dermabrasion followed by split-thickness skin grafting from the contralateral, nonaffected side has been successfully performed. [42, 43]

Other medical care is dictated by the organ system(s) involved. Lung, heart, and renal anomalies may be fatal and require immediate surgical intervention. [44] Orthopedic abnormalities can be treated with braces or corrective surgery.

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Consultations

Treatment of a patient with CHILD syndrome is multidisciplinary and dictated by the organ(s) involved. Consultations may include the following:

  • A dermatologist for management of the cutaneous findings

  • A pediatric orthopedic surgeon for evaluation and treatment of the musculoskeletal deformities

  • A geneticist for counseling and genetic testing

  • A neurologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, or nephrologist, depending on the organ system(s) involved

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