Acute Hemorrhagic Edema of Infancy: Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI) is an unusual form of leukocytoclastic vasculitis that affects children younger than 2 years and frequently is preceded by drug intake, vaccination, or a variety of infections. It is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever, purpuric lesions, and peripheral edema on the face and extremities that may be confused with other dermatoses. The course is benign with spontaneous resolution. We present 2 infants with AHEI and review the clinical manifestations, histology, and differential diagnosis.