Use of Phototherapy in Children

Phototherapy is a well-recognized treatment in adults and children. Previous articles have reported success in treating recalcitrant skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, pityriasis lichenoides chronica, and vitiligo in children.

This was a retrospective review over an 18-month period from June 2012 to December 2013 of all children receiving phototherapy in a tertiary pediatric dermatology center.

Seventy-five patients 3 to 17 years of age (mean 10.6 years; 35 male, 40 female) were included. Forty-eight (64%) patients had AD and 21 (28%) had psoriasis. Seventy received narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) treatment and five received hand and foot psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment. All patients with AD were treated with NBUVB and four (8.3%) were also treated with hand PUVA. After phototherapy, 76% had documented clear to almost clear skin. At the 12-month follow-up, 52% of the patients with AD remained clear. All 21 patients with psoriasis underwent NBUVB phototherapy. The clearance rate after phototherapy was 86%. At the 12-month follow-up, 43% of the patients with psoriasis remained clear.

Phototherapy can reduce disease burden in individuals with severe AD and psoriasis and should be considered as a second-line therapy if standard topical regimens are unsuccessful.