Related Experiment Videos
A clinical and therapeutic study of 29 patients with infantile acne
W J Cunliffe1, S E Baron, I H Coulson
1Department of Dermatology, Leeds General Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK.
Insights
Infantile acne, more common in boys, often requires topical treatments. Moderate to severe cases may need oral antibiotics or isotretinoin, with most clearing within 18 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Infantile acne is a rare condition with limited treatment data.
- This study reviews treatment outcomes for infantile acne.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review treatment results in infantile acne.
- To evaluate the efficacy and duration of various treatment modalities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 29 patients (24 boys, 5 girls) over 25 years.
- Analysis of acne severity, type, and response to treatments.
Main Results:
- Acne onset median age 9 months; 62% moderate, 14% severe.
- Topical treatments effective for mild acne; oral erythromycin or trimethoprim for moderate/severe.
- Clearance median 18 months; 17% scarring; oral isotretinoin effective when needed.
Conclusions:
- Confirms male predominance in infantile acne.
- Treatment parallels adult acne, excluding tetracyclines.
- Oral isotretinoin is a viable option for recalcitrant cases.
Background:
Infantile acne is a relatively uncommon condition; there are few data in the literature on the optimum treatment for this disorder.
Objectives:
To review treatment results in infantile acne.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective review of 29 patients (24 boys and five girls) treated over a 25-year period.
Results:
The age at onset was 6-16 months (median 9). The acne was mild in 24%, moderate in 62% and severe in 14%. The type of acne was predominantly inflammatory (59%), but was comedonal in 17%, showed a mixed pattern in 17% and was nodular in 7%. No infants had any clinically obvious endocrinopathy. Patients with mild acne responded well to topical treatment (benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin and retinoids). All but two infants with moderate acne responded well to oral (paediatric) erythromycin 125 mg twice daily and topical therapy. Patients with erythromycin-resistant Propionibacterium acnes required trimethoprim 100 mg twice daily. Most patients were able to stop oral antibiotics within 18 months. In 38% of children, long-term oral antibiotics (> 24 months) were required. The time for clearance of the acne was 6-40 months (median 18). One patient required oral isotretinoin that cleared the acne in 4 months. Five patients (17%) were left with scarring.
Conclusions:
This study confirms the male predominance of infantile acne. Treatment is similar to that of adult acne, with the exclusion of the use of tetracyclines. When necessary, oral isotretinoin can be used.