Sarcoidosis in young children.

Twenty-eight cases of sarcoidosis in children 4 years of age or younger have been reported in the literature, including the case presented herein. These patients may display a distinct aspect of this disease. Half of them are younger than 1 year and all but two are whit. Clinically, they are different from the older children: they lack pulmonary disease, and they predominantly have uveitis, arthritis, and skin rash. The natural history of the disease not only involves chronic arthritis, but has the potential for renal disease secondary to hypercalciuria. Use of adrenocorticosteroids may be effective in these situations, as well as for eye involvement.