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Emergency Medicine78 papers

Acute hemorrhagic edema of childhood

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI) is a rare, benign condition characterized by palpable purpuric rash, edema, and often leukocytoclastic vasculitis, typically affecting infants under two years of age without systemic complications 16.

Diagnosis

  • Palpable erythematous purpuric rash on face, limbs, and earlobes 16
  • Presence of edema 16
  • Leukocytoclastic vasculitis on histopathology 16
  • No systemic involvement or complications 16
  • Management

  • Supportive care primarily, focusing on hydration and monitoring 16
  • No specific pharmacological treatment required 16
  • Close observation for any signs of systemic involvement 16
  • Special Populations

  • No specific guidelines provided for pediatric populations beyond general supportive care 16
  • Key Recommendations

  • Diagnose AHEI based on clinical presentation including palpable purpuric rash and edema, confirmed by histopathology showing leukocytoclastic vasculitis 16 (Evidence: Moderate)
  • Provide supportive care with close monitoring for any progression or systemic complications 16 (Evidence: Expert opinion)
  • Avoid unnecessary pharmacological interventions; focus on symptomatic management 16 (Evidence: Expert opinion)
  • References

    1 Hassan S, Woolfall K, Atiq H, Afzal N, Merchant AAH, Palasz J et al.. Acceptability of ambulance-based telemedicine (ABT) for paediatric emergencies in Karachi, Pakistan. BMJ global health 2026. link 2 Bolic MS, Lew J, Richardson DB. Scoping a paediatric emergency medicine unit. Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA 2025. link 3 Mitura KM, Celiński D, Snarska J, Szajda SD. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on potential health emergencies in paediatric patients: a retrospective cohort study. Frontiers in public health 2024. link 4 Bushuven S, Bentele M, Bentele S, Gerber B, Bansbach J, Ganter J et al.. "ChatGPT, Can You Help Me Save My Child's Life?" - Diagnostic Accuracy and Supportive Capabilities to Lay Rescuers by ChatGPT in Prehospital Basic Life Support and Paediatric Advanced Life Support Cases - An In-silico Analysis. Journal of medical systems 2023. link 5 . Focusing on paediatric emergencies. The Veterinary record 2022. link 6 McCahill C, Laycock HC, Guris RJD, Chigaru L. State-of-the-art management of the acutely unwell child. Anaesthesia 2022. link 7 Weigel PA, Merchant KA, Wittrock A, Kissee J, Ullrich F, Bell AL et al.. Paediatric tele-emergency care: A study of two delivery models. Journal of telemedicine and telecare 2021. link 8 Wallace CK, Hind V. Guide to paediatric medical emergencies. British dental journal 2019. link 9 McNaughten B, Hart C, Gallagher S, Junk C, Coulter P, Thompson A et al.. Clinicians' gaze behaviour in simulated paediatric emergencies. Archives of disease in childhood 2018. link 10 Deane HC, Wilson CL, Babl FE, Dalziel SR, Cheek JA, Craig SS et al.. PREDICT prioritisation study: establishing the research priorities of paediatric emergency medicine physicians in Australia and New Zealand. Emergency medicine journal : EMJ 2018. link 11 Andersen K, Mikkelsen S, Jørgensen G, Zwisler ST. Paediatric medical emergency calls to a Danish Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre: a retrospective, observational study. Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine 2018. link 12 Ranaweera J, Craig S. 'Playing favourites': Is there bias during patient selection by registrars in an Australian paediatric emergency department?. Journal of paediatrics and child health 2015. link 13 Turner NM. Recent developments in neonatal and paediatric emergencies. European journal of anaesthesiology 2011. link 14 Houston R, Pearson GA. Ambulance provision for children: a UK national survey. Emergency medicine journal : EMJ 2010. link 15 Furyk JS. Paediatric emergency medicine in the developing world: The Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi. Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA 2009. link 16 Kumar R, Mittal K, Rawal M, Kumar S. Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy. Indian pediatrics 2008. link 17 Roberts K, Jewkes F, Whalley H, Hopkins D, Porter K. A review of emergency equipment carried and procedures performed by UK front line paramedics on paediatric patients. Emergency medicine journal : EMJ 2005. link 18 Gaffney P, Johnson G. Paediatric prehospital care: postal survey of paramedic training managers. Archives of disease in childhood 2001. link 19 Pitt R. Common paediatric emergencies. Australian family physician 1989. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Acceptability of ambulance-based telemedicine (ABT) for paediatric emergencies in Karachi, Pakistan.Hassan S, Woolfall K, Atiq H, Afzal N, Merchant AAH, Palasz J et al. BMJ global health (2026)
    2. [2]
      Scoping a paediatric emergency medicine unit.Bolic MS, Lew J, Richardson DB Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA (2025)
    3. [3]
      Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on potential health emergencies in paediatric patients: a retrospective cohort study.Mitura KM, Celiński D, Snarska J, Szajda SD Frontiers in public health (2024)
    4. [4]
    5. [5]
      Focusing on paediatric emergencies. The Veterinary record (2022)
    6. [6]
      State-of-the-art management of the acutely unwell child.McCahill C, Laycock HC, Guris RJD, Chigaru L Anaesthesia (2022)
    7. [7]
      Paediatric tele-emergency care: A study of two delivery models.Weigel PA, Merchant KA, Wittrock A, Kissee J, Ullrich F, Bell AL et al. Journal of telemedicine and telecare (2021)
    8. [8]
      Guide to paediatric medical emergencies.Wallace CK, Hind V British dental journal (2019)
    9. [9]
      Clinicians' gaze behaviour in simulated paediatric emergencies.McNaughten B, Hart C, Gallagher S, Junk C, Coulter P, Thompson A et al. Archives of disease in childhood (2018)
    10. [10]
      PREDICT prioritisation study: establishing the research priorities of paediatric emergency medicine physicians in Australia and New Zealand.Deane HC, Wilson CL, Babl FE, Dalziel SR, Cheek JA, Craig SS et al. Emergency medicine journal : EMJ (2018)
    11. [11]
      Paediatric medical emergency calls to a Danish Emergency Medical Dispatch Centre: a retrospective, observational study.Andersen K, Mikkelsen S, Jørgensen G, Zwisler ST Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine (2018)
    12. [12]
    13. [13]
      Recent developments in neonatal and paediatric emergencies.Turner NM European journal of anaesthesiology (2011)
    14. [14]
      Ambulance provision for children: a UK national survey.Houston R, Pearson GA Emergency medicine journal : EMJ (2010)
    15. [15]
    16. [16]
      Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy.Kumar R, Mittal K, Rawal M, Kumar S Indian pediatrics (2008)
    17. [17]
      A review of emergency equipment carried and procedures performed by UK front line paramedics on paediatric patients.Roberts K, Jewkes F, Whalley H, Hopkins D, Porter K Emergency medicine journal : EMJ (2005)
    18. [18]
      Paediatric prehospital care: postal survey of paramedic training managers.Gaffney P, Johnson G Archives of disease in childhood (2001)
    19. [19]
      Common paediatric emergencies.Pitt R Australian family physician (1989)

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