Methotrexate and corticosteroid therapy for pediatric localized scleroderma

Localized scleroderma (LS) can cause permanent disability, and there is no universally accepted effective treatment. Methotrexate (MTX) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of systemic sclerosis.

To determine the efficacy and tolerability of MTX and corticosteroid therapy in patients with LS.

MTX, 0.3 to 0.6 mg/kg per week, was given to 10 patients (6 girls, 4 boys; mean age, 6.8 years; mean disease duration before starting treatment, 4 years) with active LS. In addition, pulse intravenous methylprednisolone, 30 mg/kg for 3 days monthly for 3 months, was given to 9 patients at the initiation of therapy.

One patient discontinued taking MTX after a month; the remaining 9 patients responded. The median time to response was 3 months (95% CI, 1.15-4.85). One responder discontinued taking MTX after a year because of leukopenia; the LS worsened within 2 months. In another patient LS flared up after 10 months and responded to an increased dose of MTX and intravenous methylprednisolone. At the last follow-up visit, all patients who continued to receive MTX therapy had inactive skin lesions.

Treatment with MTX and corticosteroids appears to be effective in the treatment of LS and is generally well tolerated. A placebo-controlled study is necessary to confirm the efficacy of MTX therapy in LS.