DERMATOLOGY Polymorphic Light Eruption in Childhood

accepted July 1985. The purpose of this article is to acquaint the pediatrician with polymorphic light eruption (PMLE) a light-induced, eczematous, cutaneous reaction that frequently begins in childhood. This sun-induced eruption is frequently misdiagnosed because of its similarity to atopic dermatitis. POLYMORPHIC (POLYMORPHOUS) light eruption (PMLE) is a light-induced inflammatory cu-taneous reaction that is produced by energy within the ultraviolet-B (UVB) (280-310 nm) or ultraviolet-A (UVA) (310-400 nm) spectrum, or a combination of both. It affects both adult and pediatric age groups. In 66 percent of the cases, it has its onset prior to age 30 more typically during the first decade.3 This pho-todermatitis has an increased frequency in North and South American Indians ’ as well as Finns. ’ In these genetic groups, the inheritance is thought to be auto