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Published on: July 11, 2013
Paediatric psoriasis--narrowband UVB treatment
P Zamberk1, D Velázquez, M Campos
1Dermatology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain. pamezm@hotmail.com
Insights
Narrowband UV-B phototherapy effectively treats paediatric psoriasis, offering a safe alternative for children with severe cases. This treatment shows good short-term safety and achieves significant remission, despite concerns about long-term effects.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Phototherapy
- Paediatric Medicine
Background:
- Narrowband UV-B is a recognized psoriasis treatment for adults.
- Its use in children is limited due to potential long-term carcinogenic risks.
- It serves as an alternative for cases resistant to topical treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy and short-term safety of narrowband UV-B in paediatric psoriasis.
- To compare findings with existing paediatric psoriasis studies.
Main Methods:
- Narrowband UV-B was administered to 20 children with psoriasis refractory to topical therapy over 2 years and 4 months.
- Treatment response was quantified using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).
Main Results:
- Twenty children (median age 13) received treatment, with a median initial PASI of 8.25.
- A median of 28 sessions led to near-complete remission in most patients.
- No severe adverse events were reported; remission duration averaged 8 months.
Conclusions:
- Narrowband UV-B is an effective and well-tolerated option for paediatric psoriasis.
- Despite limited data on long-term effects, it is a viable alternative for severe paediatric cases.
- Further research is needed to address long-term safety concerns in children.
Unlabelled:
Narrowband UV-B is a safe and efficacious option for the treatment of adult psoriasis. However, the use of this therapy has been limited in children due to its long-term carcinogenic potential. It has proven to be an adequate alternative in patients whose condition is refractory to topical treatment.
Aims:
To evaluate the efficacy and short-term safety of narrowband UV-B in the treatment of paediatric psoriasis, and to compare our results with those obtained in other studies on paediatric psoriasis.
Materials And Methods:
Over a period of 2 years and 4 months, we administered narrowband UV-B to 20 children diagnosed with psoriasis that was refractory to topical therapy. The therapeutic response was measured using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).
Results:
Between August 2005 and December 2007, 20 children received narrowband UV-B. Their median age was 13 years (range, 5-17 years), and the median initial PASI score was 8.25 (2.7-22.2). A median of 28 (10-59) sessions was required to achieve clearance, reaching almost complete or total remission (median final PASI) in all but two patients. Six patients required a new therapeutic course because of relapse, and the mean duration of remission was 8 months (4-18). No patients experienced severe adverse events during therapy, and only one discontinued treatment, for unrelated reasons.
Discussion And Conclusion:
Narrowband UV-B for the treatment of paediatric psoriasis has received little attention in the literature. This treatment has been limited in children because of its potential long-term carcinogenic effects, and most information has been extrapolated from adults. Nevertheless, narrowband UV-B phototherapy is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic alternative in paediatric patients with severe psoriasis.
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