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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Generalized pustular psoriasis in a 6-week-old infant
Pei-Hsin Chao1, Yu-Wen Cheng, Mei-Yung Chung
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
Insights
Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is rare in infants. Acitretin effectively treated a 6-week-old infant with GPP, showing it
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Rare Genetic Diseases
Background:
- Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, severe skin condition.
- Infantile GPP presents diagnostic challenges due to differential diagnoses like infections.
Observation:
- A 6-week-old infant presented with clinical manifestations of GPP.
- Detailed laboratory and histopathology findings were consistent with GPP.
Findings:
- Acitretin treatment initiated at 1 mg/kg/day led to significant psoriasis improvement.
- Dosage was titrated to 0.4 mg/kg/day, maintaining remission for 6 months.
Implications:
- Acitretin is a viable and effective therapeutic option for infantile GPP.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing GPP in neonates.
Abstract:
Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is rare in childhood, especially in early infancy. At this young age, it is essential to make an accurate diagnosis as pustules could be the presentation of serious infectious diseases or unusual dermatologic diseases. We reported clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, and histopathology findings in a 6-week-old girl with GPP. Acitretin was initiated at 1 mg/kg/day with marked improvement on her psoriasis, and titrated to 0.4 mg/kg/day in the subsequent 6 months without flare. Acitretin proved to be an effective therapeutic option for young infants with GPP.
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