James Treat, MD, dives into pediatric patients dealing with alopecia areata, sleep issues in children with atopic dermatitis, and more.
Maui Derm’s NP+PA Summer 2022 Conference began with clinical updates on top articles from this year’s literature to provide advanced insights, including updates on pediatric dermatology. Sharing his expertise was James Treat, MD, professor of clinical pediatrics and dermatology and education director, pediatric dermatology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the HUB for Clinical Collaboration in Pennsylvania.1 Treat works collaboratively with patients and their families to ease anxieties and find the most effective treatment plan.2
Treat discussed the study “Parent report of sleep health and attention regulation in cross-sectional studies of infants and preschool-aged children with atopic dermatitis,” which examined sleep and attention problems in young children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and identify modifiable factors.3 The cross-sectional study of children with AD aged 1 to 4 years, categorized patients by their Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) score, age, and racial/ethnic groups.
It also included surveys that assessed attention (Multidimensional Assessment Profile of Attention Regulation), sleep, and itch (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System).3 Linear regression models identified predictors of sleep health and attention dysregulation, according to the study article. It was revealed that 86% of children (n=60) with moderate to severe AD suffer from significant sleep disturbances, and 50% of the children had more than 5 nights of disturbed sleep.1
“Atopic dermatitis makes a huge difference for families. Next time you see someone with really severe atopic dermatitis, think to yourself, how is the family structure going?” Treat explained that co-sleeping with parents increases among children with severe AD, as well as symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD. He also emphasized the importance of treating young children with AD to help mitigate these family stressors.
Next, Treat examined the study “Oral tofacitinib for the treatment of alopecia areata in pediatric patients.” Oral tofacitinib (Xeljanz), a Janise kinase (JAK) inhibitor, has shown promising results in the treatment of alopecia areata (AA) in adults, but there are fewer studies on the clinical efficacy and tolerability among pediatric patients with AA, according to Treat. The study was a retrospective case series conducted at the University of Colorado Hospital Dermatology Clinic. It aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of pediatric AA patients treated with oral tofacitinib.4 Out of 11 patients, 73% saw hair regrowth and 27% had minimal to no hair regrowth.1
“Alopecia areata is another disease which is really life-changing for people,” Treat said. He explained that young children that suffer from AA and begin to lose their hair during their formative years of middle school are faced with unimaginable challenges.
Originally published on our sister brand, Dermatology Times.
References:
Recognize & Refer: Hemangiomas in pediatrics
July 17th 2019Contemporary Pediatrics sits down exclusively with Sheila Fallon Friedlander, MD, a professor dermatology and pediatrics, to discuss the one key condition for which she believes community pediatricians should be especially aware-hemangiomas.
Pz-cel granted FDA Priority Review to treat recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
November 28th 2023The FDA granted Priority Review to pz-cel following a phase 1/2 and a pivotal phase 3 study in which the treatment for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) demonstrated wound healing and pain reduction.
Worsening severity of AD in children associated with increased comorbidity onset risk
November 27th 2023Of patients in the atopic dermatitis (AD) cohort, 36.6% developed at least 1 comorbidity amid follow-up compared to 28.5% in the non-AD reference cohort, investigators of a Sweden, nationwide, population-based cohort study found.
IDP-126 topical gel approved by FDA to treat acne in patients 12 years and up
October 21st 2023The topical gel is the first and only FDA-approved triple-combination, fixed-dose topical treatment for acne, and is set to be available in the first quarter of 2024, according to Bausch Health Companies Inc.
A 13-year-old girl with well-demarcated rash on back and chest
October 19th 2023A healthy 13-year-old girl presented with a 1-month history of an asymptomatic, well-demarcated rash on her back and upper chest. The eruption consisted of discrete, dark brown papules that coalesced into large, flat-topped plaques with mild superficial scale and accentuation of skin markings. What's the diagnosis?