Phototherapy: An Effective Treatment for Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Narrowband ultraviolet B therapy added substantially to improvement of childhood AD.

Childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) can be a difficult management problem when it fails to respond to aggressive topical therapy. Systemic medications, although effective, are associated with adverse effects and often require blood monitoring. Although phototherapy has demonstrated utility for adult eczema, and retrospective studies have suggested effectiveness of narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) therapy in children, no prospective studies have evaluated NBUVB for pediatric AD. To address this knowledge gap, investigators compared NBUVB (twice weekly; total exposures, 24) plus topical therapy with topical therapy alone in 29 children aged 3 years to 16 years. The primary endpoint was the percent reduction in the Six Area Six Sign Atopic Dermat…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)