Liy-Wong C, Kim M, Kirkorian AY, et al. - In a large cohort of pediatric patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), researchers conducted this international, multicenter, cross-sectional study to characterize the demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment, related comorbidities, and outcomes. Out of 481 patients diagnosed with HS in the total sample, 406 (85%) patients reported comorbid conditions, with obesity and acne vulgaris being the most common. In this sample, the mean age of disease onset was 12.5 (2.9) years, and the mean age at diagnosis was 14.4 (3.5) years. In 111 of 271 (41%) patients there was a family history of HS. At disease onset the initial signs or symptoms reported were cyst/abscess in 229 of 481 (48%), pain/tenderness in 118 of 481 (25%), and papules/pustules in 117 of 481 (24%). There were 233 of 481 (48%) patients who already had evidence of skin scarring at initial dermatologic assessment. In 288 of 481 (60%) patients Disease severity (Hurley staging) was documented, with 47% at stage 1, 45% at stage 2 and 8% at stage 3. In 378 of 481 (79%) patients, complications occurred, the most common of which were scars or contractures. The results of this study suggest that pediatric HS identification and diagnosis is delayed. To better understand clinical course and optimal treatments for pediatric HS, prospective observational and interventional studies are required.