European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Background: LP (Lichen Planus) is a disease having unknown etiology, and is considered a
papulosquamous disease. The occurrence of lichen planus in children is an uncommon finding.
The data in previous literature concerning the clinical profile of children with lichen planus are
scarce and need further exploration with the majority of conducted studies being retrospective.
Aim: The present clinical study was conducted to assess the clinical profile of Lichen Planus in
the pediatricsubjects. The present study also evaluated the risk factors associated with childhood
lichen planus, if any.
Methods: The present study included 46 pediatric subjects of age less than 14 years and having
an either histopathologic or clinical confirmed diagnosis of Lichen Planus. The study was carried
out at LLRM Medical College, Meerut. For all the included subjects, detailed history,
investigations, and examinations were carried out.
Results:46 cases of childhood LP were included in the study and they constituted 1.2% of the
pediatric dermatoses. There were 25 males (54.34%) and 21 (45.65%) females with a male to
female ratio of 1.2:1. The age ranged from 6 months to 14 years with a mean age of 11.1 ± 4.6
years. The duration of the disease ranged from 15 days to 5 years with a mean of 9.2 ± 3.2
months. A history of recent hepatitis B vaccination (HBV) was found in 8 (17.4%) patients, and
exposure to X‑ ray radiation was seen in 5 (10.86%). A history of blood transfusion was present
in 1 (2.2%) patient. Classical LP was the most common variant, found in 30 (65.21%) patients,
followed by hypertrophic variant in 9 (19.56%) patients. Koebnerization was found in 31
(67.39%) of the patients. Oral mucosa was involved in 28.26% of patients, nail in 41.3% of
patients, and scalp in 8.69% of patients.
Conclusion: The present study concludes that childhood lichen planus shares a resemblance in
most of the aspects to the adult lichen planus. However, childhood lichen planus is still an underreported
condition.