[Psoriasis in children and adolescents]. / Psoriasis im Kindes- und Jugendalter: Kurzes Update und leitliniengerechte Therapie.

Psoriasis is nowadays regarded as a multifactorial, inflammatory, immune-mediated systemic condition with predominant involvement of the skin. It starts in about one third of cases in childhood and adolescence and is often accompanied by marked impairment of the quality of life of sufferers and their parents. Aside from genetic disposition, trigger factors such as streptococcal infections are notably involved in manifestation and in exacerbations. The harmful role of comorbidities even in the young, particularly of obesity, has been well documented. Treatment options have considerably improved following the approval of five biologic agents in childhood but are still insufficiently used. The present article gives a short overview of current knowledge and the recommendations of the updated German guideline. Besides frequent types, unusual presentations such as pustular psoriasis, psoriasis dermatitis, and paradoxical psoriasis induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors are addressed.

[Infantile hemangioma : Clinical manifestation, treatment, and differential diagnoses]. / Infantile Hämangiome : Manifestationsformen, Therapie, Differenzialdiagnosen.

With an incidence of approximately 4% infantile hemangiomas are the most common vascular tumors in children and show characteristic growth dynamics. In order to avoid erroneous treatment, they need to be differentiated from other vascular tumors (granuloma pyogenicum and kaposiform hemangioendothelioma) and vascular malformations. Of all infantile hemangiomas 85% are uncomplicated and undergo spontaneous resolution starting towards the end of the first year of life. First-line treatment for complicated infantile hemangiomas (15%), i.e. those with imminent obstruction (eyes and nose), ulceration or permanent disfigurement, is oral propranolol (2 mg/kg BW and day for at least 6 months).

[Psoriasis in children and adolescents : Short update and guideline-based treatment]. / Psoriasis im Kindes- und Jugendalter : Kurzes Update und leitliniengerechte Therapie.

Psoriasis is nowadays regarded as a multifactorial, inflammatory, immune-mediated systemic condition with predominant involvement of the skin. It starts in about one third of cases in childhood and adolescence and is often accompanied by marked impairment of the quality of life of sufferers and their parents. Aside from genetic disposition, trigger factors such as streptococcal infections are notably involved in manifestation and in exacerbations. The harmful role of comorbidities even in the young, particularly of obesity, has been well documented. Treatment options have considerably improved following the approval of five biologic agents in childhood but are still insufficiently used. The present article gives a short overview of current knowledge and the recommendations of the updated German guideline. Besides frequent types, unusual presentations such as pustular psoriasis, psoriasis dermatitis, and paradoxical psoriasis induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors are addressed.

Effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors in reducing mortality in patients admitted to hospital with influenza A H1N1pdm09 virus infection: a meta-analysis of individual participant data.

BACKGROUND: Neuraminidase inhibitors were widely used during the 2009-10 influenza A H1N1 pandemic, but evidence for their effectiveness in reducing mortality is uncertain. We did a meta-analysis of individual participant data to investigate the association between use of neuraminidase inhibitors and mortality in patients admitted to hospital with pandemic influenza A H1N1pdm09 virus infection. METHODS: We assembled data for patients (all ages) admitted to hospital worldwide with laboratory confirmed or clinically diagnosed pandemic influenza A H1N1pdm09 virus infection. We identified potential data contributors from an earlier systematic review of reported studies addressing the same research question. In our systematic review, eligible studies were done between March 1, 2009 (Mexico), or April 1, 2009 (rest of the world), until the WHO declaration of the end of the pandemic (Aug 10, 2010); however, we continued to receive data up to March 14, 2011, from ongoing studies. We did a meta-analysis of individual participant data to assess the association between neuraminidase inhibitor treatment and mortality (primary outcome), adjusting for both treatment propensity and potential confounders, using generalised linear mixed modelling. We assessed the association with time to treatment using time-dependent Cox regression shared frailty modelling. FINDINGS: We included data for 29,234 patients from 78 studies of patients admitted to hospital between Jan 2, 2009, and March 14, 2011. Compared with no treatment, neuraminidase inhibitor treatment (irrespective of timing) was associated with a reduction in mortality risk (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0·81; 95% CI 0·70-0·93; p=0·0024). Compared with later treatment, early treatment (within 2 days of symptom onset) was associated with a reduction in mortality risk (adjusted OR 0·48; 95% CI 0·41-0·56; p<0·0001). Early treatment versus no treatment was also associated with a reduction in mortality (adjusted OR 0·50; 95% CI 0·37-0·67; p<0·0001). These associations with reduced mortality risk were less pronounced and not significant in children. There was an increase in the mortality hazard rate with each day's delay in initiation of treatment up to day 5 as compared with treatment initiated within 2 days of symptom onset (adjusted hazard ratio [HR 1·23] [95% CI 1·18-1·28]; p<0·0001 for the increasing HR with each day's delay). INTERPRETATION: We advocate early instigation of neuraminidase inhibitor treatment in adults admitted to hospital with suspected or proven influenza infection. FUNDING: F Hoffmann-La Roche.

Skin tumors in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Dermatologists, paediatricians, and general practitioners are often consulted by worried parents for the evaluation of a cutaneous tumor. METHODS: Selective literature review. RESULTS: Only 1-2% of skin tumors excised in children turn out to be malignant when examined histologically. Warning signs of malignancy include rapid growth, firm consistency, diameter exceeding 3 cm, ulceration, a non-movable mass, and presence in the neonatal period. The more common malignant skin tumors in adults-basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma-are very rare in childhood. Congenital melanocytic nevi and sebaceous nevi bear a lower malignant potential than previously believed; nevertheless, their excision is often indicated. A Spitz nevus can mimic a melanoma both clinically and histologically. Some benign skin tumors of childhood tend to regress spontaneously within a few years but may cause complications at particular locations and when multiple. For infantile hemangiomas requiring systemic treatment because of imminent obstruction or ulceration, propranolol seems to have a far more favorable risk-benefit ratio than corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: Physicians need specialized knowledge in order to decide whether a skin tumor in a child should be excised, non-surgically treated, or further evaluated, or whether it can be safely left untreated because of the likelihood of spontaneous remission.

Severe phototoxicity associated with long-term voriconazole treatment.

Voriconazole is a second-generation triazole antifungal approved for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, particularly with Aspergillus, Candida, Fusarium, and Scedosporium spp. Frequently reported adverse effects of voriconazole include visual disturbance (21 %), elevated liver enzymes (15.6 %) and rashes (7 %), which are largely attributable to drug-induced photosensitivity. We report a case of serious phototoxicity in a 8 year old boy who underwent chemotherapy for AML. He received voriconazole for the treatment and subsequent re-infection prophylaxis after pulmonary aspergillosis. One year after the start of therapy he developed blistering eruptions on his face after minimal sunlight exposure. Recent reports about the development of squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, respectively, in children during and after oral therapy with voriconazole seem to warrant systematic follow-up investigations of all voriconazole-treated patients.

Hypoallergenic and non-toxic emollient therapies for children.

There are many anatomical and functional differences between the skin of young children and adult skin. As a consequence, the skin is more easily irritated by topical agents. There is also increased transcutaneous absorption; the latter effect is amplified by underlying conditions such as ichthyoses and atopic dermatitis with defects of the epidermal barrier. Common topical agents such as salicylic acid and lactic acid can cause life-threatening intoxications. The relevance of transcutaneous absorption of "hidden" ingredients such as polyethylene glycol and preservatives is unknown at present. By emulsifying endogenous barrier lipids, emulsifiers can promote skin dryness. We review the effects of common emollients and their suitability for skin care in children, particularly with the aim to reduce exposure to potential contact allergens and inadvertent emollient activity.

Varicella vaccination in children with atopic eczema.

Chickenpox in children may be complicated by local or systemic bacterial infections. Group A streptococci and S. aureus are the predominant pathogens. Children with atopic dermatitis are particularly prone to bacterial superinfection. After the introduction of universal varicella vaccination in the USA ten years ago, the number of serious bacterial soft tissue infections in children dropped significantly. Since 2004, the VZV immunization has also been included in the routine German series.Many children with atopic dermatitis have not been immunized because of concerns on the part of parents or physicians. Recent studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of VZV vaccination in children with atopic dermatitis who appear to benefit particularly from this vaccination.

Treatment of scabies with 5% permethrin cream: results of a German multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, no prescription drug containing permethrin for the therapy of scabies was available on the German market.Therefore, a 5% permethrin cream formulation (InfectoScab 5%) was tested in a single-arm multi-center study including adults and children from 3 months of age with proven scabies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: On day 0, patients were treated once with permethrin cream in the study center. Control examinations including dermatoscopy were performed on day 14+/-2 and on day 28+/-3. Patients who were not considered cured or who had contact to individuals with untreated scabies received one further treatment with permethrin cream on day 14+/-2. Itching and local tolerability of the cream were documented in patients' diaries. Side effects were assessed by history, skin inspection and evaluation of patients' notes. RESULTS: 106 patients in 13 centers were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 29.2 years (range, 141 days to 71.9 years); 34% of them were children or adolescents. 78.3% of patients were either severely (3 body sites) or very severely (4-5 sites) affected. The cure rate on day 28+/-3 was 95.1% (95% confidence interval, 91.0-99.3%). Pruritus declined markedly and continuously. In general, the cream was well tolerated; side effects were almost invariably mild. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the efficacy and safety of 5% permethrin cream in adults, children and infants suffering from scabies. These results have contributed to the approval of InfectoScab 5% in Germany for the treatment of scabies in October 2004.