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The role of photochemotherapy (PUVA) in the treatment of children with severe atopic dermatitis and short stature
Author(s) -
Carabott F.,
Atherton D.J.,
Glover Mary,
Hawk J.L.M.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb11994.x
Subject(s) - atopic dermatitis , medicine , dermatology , university hospital , pediatrics , family medicine
The management of atopic dermatitis (AD) traditionally involves the use of topical and, occasionally, systemic steroids. This treatment poses a major problem with adolescents with severe AD, who in our experience are very much at risk from the growth‐limiting effects of corticosteroids. In the last few years we have therefore treated this category of patients with PUVA with gratifying results. We have now treated 15 children (mean age 12–6 years, range 9–16 years), of whom 10 had heights on or below the 3rd centile. Fourteen of these showed a good response, with more or less complete clearance. Five patients have enjoyed persistent remission. One patient failed to respond and treatment was withdrawn. The other nine remain on maintenance therapy, six of these requiring only one treatment per week. All the children under treatment show at least normal growth velocity, and six showed an acceleration in growth velocity during the treatment. We believe that PUVA has an important role in treating atopic dermatitis when it is severe during adolescence of the critical importance of growth at this stage.