The use of isotretinoin in acne therapy in early childhood and its effect on the occurrence of acne symptoms later in life. Eight-year follow-up.

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the pilosebaceous follicles that affects patients of all ages. Aim: Use of isotretinoin in the early stages of the disease to prevent subsequent lesions of acne, including prolonged treatment and acne scars at a later age. Material and methods: A retrospective, comparative study was carried between January 2010 and November 2018. The study population consisted of 90 children aged 9-18 years with acne. During treatment by isotretinoin the clinical evaluation was done every month. Patients were divided into three groups according to age. One of the qualification criteria was follow-up visits. Results: A total of 90 children (67.8% females; mean age: 13.5 years) were enrolled. In group A (30 individuals - aged 9-11) and B (30 individuals - aged 12-13), treatment was terminated 2 months after clinical improvement (mean: 3 months). In control group C (30 individuals - aged 14-18), treatment was carried out using average cumulative dose 135 mg/kg bw/day. All groups showed up for follow-up. after 1 to 8 years. In groups A and B, 13 people underwent a second acne treatment; in 3.33% oral isotretinoin was used, in 18.33% topical treatment. In group C, 30 (100%) individuals underwent a second acne treatment; in 20% oral isotretinoin was used, and 80% required a topical treatment. Acne scars and post acne hyperpigmentation have been documented in 73.33% in group C. Conclusions: Early, reasonable and short-term use of isotretinoin can reduce the incidence of acne in the future and reduce the occurrence of secondary acne symptoms.