Handy Hints About Raynaud's Phenomenon in Children: A Critical Review

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a vasospastic disorder characterized by recurrent self-limited episodes of skin pallor, cyanosis, and hyperemia caused by paroxysmal spasms in the small arteries of the fingers and toes and can occur in any age group. Hands, feet, nose, ears, and nipples can be affected. The diagnosis is made clinically, assessing varying degrees of ischemia in the involved areas of skin, but this transient ischemia may also herald the onset of connective tissue disease. Investigation is recommended when RP starts in childhood to exclude an underlying autoimmune condition and close follow-up for its development. Management of RP in children includes conservative and pharmacologic treatments.