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Treatment of congenital ichthyosis with acitretin: a case report
1Department of Pediatrics, Harran University School of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Turkey. alpaycakmak@gmail.com
Insights
Acitretin therapy showed moderate efficacy in treating a newborn with severe congenital ichthyosis, improving skin lesions within six months. The treatment was well-tolerated with no observed side effects, indicating its potential for severe cases.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ichthyosis is a group of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, thickened, or scaly skin.
- Congenital ichthyosis, particularly the collodion baby presentation, represents a severe form requiring effective treatment.
- Acitretin, a second-generation retinoid, is used for various skin conditions but its efficacy in severe congenital ichthyosis warrants further investigation.
Observation:
- A newborn diagnosed with ichthyosis presented with a collodion baby appearance at birth.
- The infant was treated with oral acitretin at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/day for a duration of six months.
- Clinical observation focused on the response of cutaneous lesions, overall skin condition, and drug tolerability.
Findings:
- Acitretin therapy resulted in a moderate but satisfactory improvement in the patient's skin condition and cutaneous lesions.
- Clinical improvement was noted shortly after the initiation of acitretin treatment.
- The drug was well-tolerated by the infant, with no adverse side effects observed during the treatment period.
Implications:
- Oral acitretin demonstrates clinical efficacy and good tolerability as a treatment option for severe congenital ichthyosis.
- This case suggests that acitretin can be a valuable therapeutic agent for improving skin health in infants with severe ichthyosis.
- Further studies may explore optimal dosing and long-term outcomes of acitretin in pediatric ichthyosis patients.
Abstract:
The authors assessed the clinical efficacy, tolerability and safety of acitretin in a patient with ichthyosis. A newborn infant with ichthyosis who presented at birth with collodion baby appearance, was treated with acitretin. A moderate response to acitretin therapy (1 mg/kg/day) administered for 6 months was observed, with improvement in cutaneous lesions. Clinical improvement was achieved shortly after treatment. The treatment resulted in a satisfactory improvement in the skin condition of the case. The tolerance to the drug was good. Side effects were not observed. The oral acitretin treatment is efficient in severe congenital ichthyosis.
