[Systemic scleroderma in children].

Abstract

A new case of systemic scleroderma in a child is reported. The frequency of this disease is much lower than focal scleroderma and than other connective diseases in childhood. Kidney and heart involvement is much less common than in adults. Raynaud's phenomenon and scleroderma however, as in this case, are often severe. The appropriate treatment has to be efficient towards sclerosis (D-penicillamine, corticosteroids), Raynaud's phenomenon (protection from cold, nifedipine) and other manifestations (prevention of gastric ulceration, physical therapy) and should consider every possible adverse effect on a growing organism.