Prognosis of herpes zoster in healthy children
C. L. Wurzel, J. Kahan, M. Heitler and L. G. Rubin
Previous investigators have suggested that herpes zoster may be the
presenting sign of a malignancy. However, no data have been available
concerning the prognosis of herpes zoster in normal children. To assess
outcome and prognosis for healthy children with a diagnosis of herpes
zoster, we collected and reviewed 22 cases of herpes zoster from 90
pediatric practices in our community. In all cases, the illness was of
short duration and resolved completely. Patients were followed up by their
pediatricians for a mean of 4.2 years, and in no case did malignancy
manifest subsequent to the zoster infection. We conclude that herpes zoster
is a relatively benign infection in children and, given the period of
follow-up, the onset of zoster does not appear to herald the occurrence of
malignancy in this population.
