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Topical corticosteroid therapy for children: alclometasone dipropionate cream 0.05%
Insights
Twice-daily alclometasone dipropionate cream 0.05% effectively treated eczema in children. Cortisol levels remained normal, indicating a safe safety profile for this topical corticosteroid treatment.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition in children.
- Topical corticosteroids are a primary treatment for eczema.
- Alclometasone dipropionate is a mid-potency topical corticosteroid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of alclometasone dipropionate cream 0.05% in pediatric eczema.
- To assess the impact of twice-daily application on plasma cortisol levels.
Main Methods:
- Open-label study involving 39 children with eczema.
- Twice-daily application of alclometasone dipropionate cream 0.05% for three weeks.
- Weekly assessment of eczema signs/symptoms and global response.
- Monitoring of early-morning plasma cortisol levels.
Main Results:
- Significant improvement in eczema signs and symptoms observed.
- 72% of children showed complete clearing of symptoms.
- 18% of children experienced marked or moderate improvement.
- Plasma cortisol levels remained within the normal range throughout the study.
Conclusions:
- Alclometasone dipropionate cream 0.05% is safe and effective for treating pediatric eczema.
- Twice-daily application does not appear to cause significant HPA axis suppression.
- This topical corticosteroid offers a favorable risk-benefit profile for children.
Abstract:
The safety and efficacy of twice-daily applications of alclometasone dipropionate cream 0.05% were evaluated in 39 children with eczema during a three-week open study. Early-morning plasma cortisol levels were monitored at weekly intervals (visits 1, 2, and 3) for six children. For the remaining 33 children, levels were measured at visits 1 and 2 and two weeks later, at visit 4. Improvement in signs and symptoms of erythema, induration, and pruritus and a global response to therapy were determined weekly. Plasma cortisol levels remained within the acceptable normal range of 7 to 25 micrograms/100 ml throughout the study in all 39 children. At the conclusion of treatment, a favorable global response--complete clearing of monitored signs and symptoms--was observed in 28 (72%) children, and marked or moderate improvement was recorded for seven (18%) children.