Pediatric Dermatology
July 2003
in “
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
”
TLDR Skin problems are common in Bangladesh due to arsenic, prompt treatment of diabetic foot ulcers is crucial, maternal transmission causes most neonatal herpes, treatments for pediatric vasculitis are effective, the chickenpox vaccine works, more frequent UVB therapy helps psoriasis, certain jobs increase hand dermatitis risk, monoclonal antibodies treat psoriasis well, lifestyle affects psoriasis, alefacept improves psoriasis, imiquimod cream partially clears basal cell carcinoma, and iron may not help chronic hair loss.
The document summarizes various studies on pediatric dermatology. A study with 561 villagers in Bangladesh found over 50% had skin issues due to arsenicosis. Diabetic foot ulcers require prompt treatment to avoid amputations. Neonatal herpes simplex virus infection is mostly from maternal transmission, and early antiviral therapy is essential. Pediatric vasculitis treatments can reduce complications from Kawasaki disease and Henoch-Schönlein purpura. The varicella vaccine is effective in preventing chickenpox. A study of 113 psoriasis patients showed that treatment with narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy three times weekly is more effective than twice weekly. A study of 130 patients with hand dermatitis identified common sensitizers and occupational risks. Monoclonal antibodies are effective in treating psoriasis, and a trial with pimecrolimus showed promise. Smoking and drinking were associated with psoriasis in Chinese patients, and alefacept improved psoriasis in a study of 553 patients. Two studies on imiquimod cream for basal cell carcinoma found a 71% and 76% clearance rate, respectively. A study of 194 females with chronic diffuse telogen hair loss found no clear link between low serum ferritin and hair loss, questioning the role of iron supplementation in treatment.
