Background: Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) and peripheral eosinophilia are rare in children.
Objective: To describe a case of EF in a 3-year-old child who presented with acute painless induration of her forearm.
Methods: Cytokine profiles were obtained and compared with patients with atopic disease during the acute presentation and after treatment with low-dose prednisone.
Results: The patient's serum showed elevation of transforming growth factor beta1 and interleukin-5, which improved after treatment with low-dose prednisone.
Conclusions: The case suggests that patients with EF have cytokine abnormalities similar to atopic patients, but with a striking elevation of transforming growth factor beta1. The responsiveness of the clinical symptoms and cytokine profile to low dose prednisone supports treatment with low dose immunosuppressive therapy in this disorder.