Pediatric vulvar lichen sclerosus: Does it resolve or does it persist after menarche?

• DOI: 10.1111/pde.15308
• Publication Date: 2023-03-31T03:19:37Z
• Authors: Veronica Boero; Riccardo Cavalli; Carlotta Caia; Alfredo Berrettini; Giulia Emily Cetera; Ermelinda Monti; Giussy Barbara; Giorgia Carlotta ...; Elisa Restelli; Giada Libutti; Tiziano Motta; Caterina Lazzari; Paolo Vercellini
• Keywords: Menarche; Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus; Remission Induction; Humans; Female; adolescent; lichen sclerosus and atrophicus; pediatric; vulvar lichen sclerosus;; Child; Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus; 3. Good health; Retrospective Studies

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAlthough data regarding the rates of remission and progression of the disease are still scarce, it is generally now acknowledged that pediatric vulvar lichen sclerosus (pVLS) can persist beyond puberty. Recent studies reveal that this condition may persist in as many as 75% of cases. The present study aims to answer the following query: how does pVLS evolve after menarche?MethodsThis observational retrospective study conducted on premenarchal girls diagnosed with pVLS in our institution between 1990 and 2011 describes 31 patients who returned for multidisciplinary clinical evaluation following menarche.ResultsThe mean follow‐up time was 14 years. At the post‐menarche clinical examination, patients were classified as follows: 58% were still affected by VLS, 16% presented with a complete remission of disease, and 26% were completely asymptomatic although with persistent clinical signs of VLS.ConclusionsIn our series, pVLS persists following menarche in the majority of patients. These findings suggest the importance of a long‐term follow‐up even among patients who report resolution of symptoms following menarche.