pediatrics
Cutis Laxa
Introduction
Cutis laxa is characterized by lax skin hanging in loose folds. Diagnosis is clinical. There is no specific treatment, but plastic surgery is sometimes done. Cutis laxa may be inherited or acquired. There are 4 hereditary forms: Autosomal Dominant None X-Linked Recessive None 2 Autosomal Recessive None The autosomal recessive forms tend to be more common, and one of them causes potentially lethal cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal complications. The other inherited forms may be relatively benign. Rarely, infants can acquire cutis laxa after a febrile illness or after exposure to a specific drug (eg, hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin, fetal exposure topenicillamine). In children or adolescents, cutis laxa usually develops after a severe illness involving fever, polyserositis, or Erythema Multiforme . In adults, it may develop insidiously or in association with a variety of disorders, particularly Overview of Plasma Cell Disorders . The underlying defect in acquired cases is unknown. 