Continuing education in pediatric dermatology: the role of pediatric and dermatologic journals

To summarize the quantity, quality, and subject matter of articles pertaining to pediatric dermatology in current pediatric and dermatologic journals, 2,010 articles published in 1981 in 9 clinical journals were reviewed. Of articles in the pediatric journals, 4% had a primary dermatologic focus, and another 6% had a secondary dermatologic focus. Of the clinical articles in the dermatologic journals, 15% concerned only pediatric patients, and an additional 18% involved both pediatric and adult patients. The great majority of pediatric (65%) and dermatologic (83%) articles concerning pediatric dermatology were case reports, with lesser proportions of research reports and review articles. There was a relative scarcity of prospective clinical studies describing either the natural course of pediatric skin diseases or the effects of various therapies upon these diseases. Frequent topics of articles in both types of specialty journals included cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease, hereditary skin disorders, and bacterial skin infections. It is hoped that interest in this important field will promote mutually beneficial collaboration between pediatricians and dermatologists in the areas of patient care and clinical research.