The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 43 No. 3 - Managing Complex Patients in Family Medicine Settings

Rash and Weakness – A Case of Juvenile Dermatomyositis

Tan Zhirong Julio
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 43 No 3 - Managing Complex Patients in Family Medicine Settings
55 - 60
1 July 2017
0377-5305
Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a well-known but uncommon paediatric rheumatological condition. It can be missed early in the disease manifestation if not thought of in patients presenting with atypical rash and weakness. We present a case of a 5-year-old girl who developed JDM over a span of 8 weeks before a diagnosis was made. This case demonstrates the nuances of how a paediatric patient’s presentation can differ from adults’. A high index of suspicion and early appropriate referral to paediatric rheumatology are paramount for successful management and good prognosis of the condition.