Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum in Children by Topical Imiquimod Cream Therapy / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are numerous therapeutic options for molluscum contagiosum (MC) and these may be broadly subdivided into surgical procedures (curettage, squezzing), chemical application (silver nitrate, cantharidin) and immunological therapies (imiquimod). However, in young children it is quite difficult to treat the condition due to pain associated with these procedures. Therefore, physicians need to consider more tolerable treatment options in pediatric patients. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated 20 children with MC for clinical effectiveness and side effects of imiquimod application. METHODS: Twenty children with MC were asked to apply 5% imiquimod cream three times per week at nights every other day for between 8~12 weeks. RESULTS: Nine of the 20 patients (45%) achieved complete clearance after a mean treatment period of 6.9 weeks. Partial clearance was observed in 10 patients (50%) and no response in 1 patient (5%). No patients dropped out due to adverse effects. Twelve children (60%) reported erythema and five children (25%) reported itching. CONCLUSION: Therapy with imiquimod cream was found to be effective, safe and painless in the treatment of MC in children. However, large-scale, double-blind, controlled prospective studies are needed to confirm the effectivenss of Imiquimod cream.