Acute hemorrhagic edema of childhood (AHE)

Four patients with acute hemorrhagic edema (AHE) of childhood are presented. Two patients had associated pulmonary tuberculosis. AHE of childhood is a benign condition, characterized by inflammatory edema and ecchymotic purpura in a target or cockade pattern. Histology of the skin lesions shows typical leucocytoclastic vasculitis and the condition has therefore been considered a variant of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). However, because of its benign course, AHE should be considered as a separate entity.