Treatment of Acne in Children

Abstract

Acne is a common skin condition in adolescents. It is not uncommon in childhood and it persists into adulthood. A broad range of acne treatments are available and have been shown to be safe and effective in adolescents and adults. However, there is limited literature regarding acne treatment in childhood and its available therapeutic options. It seems reasonable to extrapolate findings of the various studies reported on treatment of acne in the adolescent and adult age group, with the exclusion of the use of tetracycline derivatives. As clinicians, we must be more familiar with the clinical presentation of acne and available treatment options in our younger patients. Early recognition of acne with prompt and appropriate initiation of therapy in childhood will help prevent severe scarring in children.

Safe and effective use of alitretinoin in children with recalcitrant hand eczema and other dermatoses – a retrospective analysis

“…While there is no previously reported experience with the use of alitretinoin in children, systemic isotretinoin and acitretin have been prescribed for decades in paediatric dermatology for a number of dermatoses and prolonged treatment up to many years is regularly performed . Acitretin is even used in neonates with severe disorders of cornification such as harlequin‐ichthyosis .…”

Acné en el recién nacido

“…El acné neonatal es una dermatosis leve y autolimitada que dura de 4 semanas a 4 meses, y no deja cicatrices. Aunque es raro, si persiste hasta los 12 meses, se le denomina acné infantil 45 . En la mayor parte de los casos, las medidas habituales de higiene de la piel son suficientes para la resolución gradual de la dermatosis 46 .…”

“…La información sobre el tratamiento sistémico es limitada y solo existen pequeñas series de casos que describen su eficacia. Las dosis de isotretinoína empleadas en la etapa infantil son bajas (0.2-0.5 mg/kg/día) y la duración del tratamiento es corta (dosis total acumulada media de 30-90 mg/kg) 45,48 .…”