Psoriasis in children: a guide to its diagnosis and management

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The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
11:39

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

Published on: July 11, 2013

J Leman1, D Burden

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland.

Paediatric Drugs
|November 2, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Childhood psoriasis diagnosis can be difficult, but various forms exist. Management involves patient/parent education, trigger avoidance, and tailored topical or systemic treatments for effective psoriasis control.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Immunodermatology

Background:

  • Psoriasis commonly manifests in childhood, presenting diagnostic challenges in mild or atypical cases.
  • All adult psoriasis forms, including plaque, guttate, erythrodermic, and pustular, are observed in children, with guttate and flexural types being frequent.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the diagnostic considerations and management strategies for pediatric psoriasis.
  • To emphasize the importance of patient and parental education and environmental trigger identification.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical presentations and treatment modalities for childhood psoriasis.
  • Discussion of topical therapies (emollients, coal tar, anthralin, calcipotriol), phototherapy, and systemic agents.

Main Results:

  • Most children respond to topical treatments; however, daycare or inpatient care may be necessary for non-responders.
  • Phototherapy (UVB) can augment topical treatments.
  • Systemic therapy is reserved for severe, resistant, or specific forms like erythrodermic, pustular, and psoriatic arthritis.

Conclusions:

  • Successful pediatric psoriasis management hinges on comprehensive education and tailored treatment plans.
  • Retinoids are often the preferred systemic option, though data on methotrexate and cyclosporine in children is limited.

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