Alclometasone dipropionate 0.05% vs hydrocortisone 1.0%: potential to induce cutaneous atrophy in children

Alclometasone dipropionate 0.05% and hydrocortisone 1.0% ointments were applied twice daily for three weeks to bilateral, paired eczematous lesions of children. Study ointments were assigned to left- and right-sided test sites in a randomized, double-blind manner. The potential of these preparations to induce clinically significant cutaneous atrophy was evaluated in 34 children by visual assessment of the test sites under magnification for telangiectasia. Efficacy was evaluated in 32 children by ratings of the severity of erythema, induration, and pruritus and global evaluations of eczema at the test sites. Safety and efficacy evaluations were performed prior to initial application of the study agents and after each week of treatment. Telangiectasia and other signs of cutaneous atrophy were not observed at any test site during the study, and treatment was well tolerated. Only one of the 34 children experienced an adverse effect: a mild, transient urticarial rash occurring with the application of both study ointments during the first week of the study. In general, the ointments were equally effective in relieving the children's signs and symptoms of eczema. After three weeks of therapy, improvement in the total score of ratings of the severity of signs and symptoms averaged 88% at alclometasone-treated sites and 86% at hydrocortisone-treated sites.