Blueberry muffin babyP61.8

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Synonym(s)

Cutaneous extramedullary haematopoiesis; Torch Syndrome; TORCH syndrome

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

The term "blueberry muffin" refers to skin changes that are often characterized by blueberry-like efflorescences shimmering through the skin. It is a transient cutaneous extramedullary haematopoiesis occurring exclusively in the neonatal period as a result of a serious underlying disease which leads to the temporary reactivation of embryonic or fetal haematopoietic mechanisms after birth.

TORCH is the acronym for the following pathogens: Toxoplasma gondii, Other (Treponema pallidum, Hepatitis B, Zoster), Rubella virus, (C)ytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex virus.

EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.

Fetal infectious diseases or diseases of the mother during pregnancy(toxoplasmosis, rubella, herpes, zoster, cytomegaly), haematolytic diseases of the fetus and resulting anaemia and neoplasia are described.

ManifestationThis section has been translated automatically.

Postnatal or in the neonatal period.

LocalizationThis section has been translated automatically.

Trunk, face, extremities, palmae, plantae.

Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.

During birth or shortly after birth (especially 24-48 hours post partum) suddenly petechiae, disseminated or densely standing red to reddish-brown spots, papules and plaques; blueberry-coloured or reddish ecchymoses develop. Often acrocyanosis.

LaboratoryThis section has been translated automatically.

Left shift in the differential blood count.

HistologyThis section has been translated automatically.

Edematous loosening of the perivascular and periadnexial spaces of the middle or deep dermis. Often infiltrates of different neoplastic proliferations or immature cells of erythropoiesis, granulopoiesis or thrombocytopoiesis.

DiagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.

Clinic, histology, differential blood count, pathogen detection if necessary.

TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.

Treatment of the underlying disease. Spontaneous regression of the efflorescences.

Internal therapyThis section has been translated automatically.

Red cell concentrates if necessary.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Bowden JB et al (1989) Dermal hematopoiesis in neonates: report of five cases. J Am Acad Dermatol 20: 1104-1110
  2. Hodl S et al (2001) Blueberry muffin baby: the pathogenesis of cutaneous extramedullary hematopoiesis 52: 1035-1042
  3. Kitagawa N et al (1989) Congenital alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma presenting as a blueberry muffin baby. J Dermatol 16:409-411
  4. Meuleman V Degreef H (1995) Acute myelomonocytic leukemia with skin localizations. Dermatology 190: 346-348
  5. Vozza A et al (2003) Late onset Blueberry Muffin Syndrome following congenital rubella. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 17: 204-205
  6. Weils AJ (1923) On blood formation foci in the prostate and sole of the feet of newborns and foetuses. Z Pediatrics 35: 1-9

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer