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Bone changes in children on long-term treatment with etretinate
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|May 1, 1987
Summary
Long-term etretinate treatment in children with keratinization disorders can lead to bone abnormalities, including periosteal thickening and decreased bone thickness. Regular bone monitoring is recommended for children undergoing this therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Skeletal Radiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Disorders of keratinization are chronic skin conditions requiring long-term management.
- Etretinate is a retinoid used to treat severe keratinization disorders.
- The long-term effects of etretinate on pediatric bone health are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the skeletal effects of long-term etretinate therapy in children.
- To identify specific bone abnormalities associated with etretinate treatment in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of radiographic skeletal surveys in 10 children treated with etretinate.
- Duration of treatment ranged from 0.5 to 9.6 years.
- Comparison of bone parameters with age- and sex-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Eight out of ten children exhibited bone abnormalities.
- Common findings included periosteal thickening (6 children) and decreased cortical bone thickness (all children compared to controls).
- Other abnormalities observed were periosteal bone resorption, osteoporosis, disc narrowing, and slender long bones.
Conclusions:
- Long-term etretinate therapy in children is associated with significant bone changes.
- Regular skeletal monitoring is crucial for pediatric patients receiving etretinate.
- Further research may be needed to elucidate the mechanisms and long-term implications of these bone changes.