Systemic Mastocytosis in Children: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

An Overview

For many children, a skin disorder can result in complications of daily living, impairing not only the outward physical appearance but also the internal function of organs. When systemic, the skin disorder, in most cases, is not contagious but the complications can lead to overwhelming health issues including complications associated with low self esteem and impaired bodily self image.

One such skin disorder in children, known as mastocytosis is a complication involving reproduction of mast cells within the body. While mast cells normally provide a healthy immune response in the body, when the development of mastocytosis occurs, the proliferation of mast cells can lead to a skin disorder known as systemic mastocytosis.

Symptoms of systemic mastocytosis can be difficult to diagnose as the complications are not outwardly visible. In fact, with systemic mastocytosis, this tissue complication involves organs such as the spleen, bone marrow, intestines and even the liver. When these complications are persistent, systemic mastocytosis leads to extreme muscle pain, abdominal pain with diarrhea, and nausea and vomiting.

Believed to be the result of a genetic mutation, diagnosing systemic mastocytosis is rather complex in that a bone marrow test will be required. Upon review of the bone marrow test results, the findings of abnormally high levels of mast cells will indicate systemic mastocytosis is the confirmed diagnosis.

For children who suffer from systemic mastocytosis, the goal is to control the complications and pain associated with this skin disorder. Most commonly, antihistamines are used to control pain and inflammation while also controlling blood pressure which is a secondary complication of systemic mastocytosis. Systemic corticosteroids are commonly used, along with antihistamine products, to promote the absorption of nutrients which can be impaired from systemic mastocytosis.