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Short and Long-Term Outcomes of 308-nm Laser for Pediatric Vitiligo
Insights
The 308-nm laser shows promise for treating pediatric vitiligo, achieving initial repigmentation in most cases. Long-term results indicate best pigment retention on the face, requiring ongoing management for sustained outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Phototherapy
Background:
- Pediatric vitiligo presents significant psychosocial challenges for children.
- Limited data exists on the long-term efficacy of treatments for pediatric vitiligo.
- Accurate patient counseling on treatment outcomes is hindered by this data gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes of 308-nm laser therapy for pediatric vitiligo.
- To assess the durability of repigmentation achieved with the 308-nm laser in children.
- To inform clinical practice and patient counseling regarding this treatment modality.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients treated with 308-nm laser therapy.
- Data collection included demographics, disease location, laser parameters, and initial outcomes.
- Long-term follow-up analysis in 2021 assessed retained pigmentation.
Main Results:
- Initial repigmentation observed in 86.7% of facial, 80% of body, and 61.7% of extremity lesions.
- Average follow-up duration was 3.38 years.
- Long-term retention of repigmentation was 80% for facial, 40% for body, and 20% for extremity lesions.
Conclusions:
- The 308-nm laser is an effective treatment for pediatric vitiligo, particularly for facial lesions.
- Facial lesions demonstrate superior long-term repigmentation retention compared to body and extremity lesions.
- Patients require counseling on expected long-term outcomes and the necessity of ongoing vitiligo management.
Abstract:
Pediatric vitiligo is often challenging to treat. Children with vitiligo experience stigma, bullying, and emotional distress. The long-term outcome of therapeutics used to treat pediatric vitiligo has been poorly documented in the literature. It is, therefore, hard to counsel patients on the expected long-term results of therapy. We sought to address outcomes in pediatric vitiligo treated with a 308-nm laser. An IRB-exempt chart review was conducted in June of 2016 of children undergoing active 308-nm laser in the first half of 2016. Demographic data, location of disease, therapeutic parameters of the 308-nm laser, and outcomes were recorded at that time. In 2021, the long-term outcomes were analyzed through chart review addressing pigmentation retained at later office visits. Initial repigmentation was noted in 86.7% of the face, 80% of the body, and 61.7% of the extremities. An average of 3.38 years of follow-up was recorded. Scoring extent of vitiligo using 18 site-scoring was helpful in identifying individuals who are less likely to respond to 308-nm laser, but needs broader evaluation. During that time, repigmentation was noted to be retained in 80% of facial, 40% of the body, and 20% of extremity lesions. Pediatric vitiligo responds well to the 308-nm laser, with the best retention of repigmentation for facial lesions. Patients and parents should be counseled on the likelihood of long-term retention of repigmentation and regarding the need for the ongoing management of vitiligo even after repigmentation is initially achieved after 308-nm laser therapy. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(7):773-775. doi:10.36849/JDD.6895.
