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Clinical and therapeutic approach to childhood acne: an update

C Antoniou1, Clio Dessinioti, A J Stratigos

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. il5@hotmail.com

Pediatric Dermatology
|August 20, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Prepubertal acne requires specific clinical approaches and therapeutic options. While some medications are contraindicated for children, case reports suggest oral isotretinoin may help severe infantile acne cases.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Limited literature exists on childhood acne.
  • Childhood acne presents in various forms: neonatal, infantile, mid-childhood, and prepubertal.
  • Prepubertal acne management requires tailored strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated review on the clinical approach to prepubertal acne.
  • To discuss therapeutic options for prepubertal acne in children.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on clinical management and therapeutics for prepubertal acne.
  • Analysis of contraindications and reported treatment successes.

Main Results:

  • Tetracyclines are contraindicated in children under 8 years old.
  • Oral isotretinoin is generally not recommended for children under 12.
  • Case reports show successful treatment of recalcitrant infantile acne with scarring using oral isotretinoin in 10 patients.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed on oral isotretinoin for infantile acne.
  • Investigating isotretinoin's role may clarify its impact on long-term prognosis and adolescent acne severity.

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