Journal of Asia Pacific Aesthetic Sciences

Abstract: Polymorphic maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis (pMPCM) is the most common form of cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) in children, characterized by polymorphic brown to red oval lesions, plaques, and nodules that often appear asymmetrically. Although primarily confined to the skin, it may present with a range of clinical manifestations. These lesions can be mistaken for other hyperpigmentation disorders, such as café-au-lait spots, drug eruptions, or idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation. Here, we report a case of pMPCM in a Filipino infant, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and emphasizing the clinical, histopathological, and therapeutic aspects of the disease. This case illustrates practical diagnostic and clinical approaches that may aid clinicians in identifying pediatric mastocytosis, even in resource-limited settings where advanced testing is unavailable.

Keywords: Polymorphic maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis; Mastocytosis in children; CD117 immunohistochemistry; Pediatric hyperpigmentation disorders