Pediatric Acne Vulgaris: A Guide for Recognition, Examination, Referral, and Treatment.

Acne is a common skin condition in adolescent patients but much less common in childhood. Pediatric providers should be familiar with the varying presentations in the pediatric population and recognize when additional physical signs of hyperandrogenism are present. This article details the pathogenesis and presentation of acne in infancy, mid-childhood, and preadolescence. The differential diagnosis is discussed and recommendations for initial workup, referral, and treatment are provided. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(4):e115-e120.].

Restrictive dermopathy: Three new patients with ZMPSTE24 mutations and a review of the literature.

Restrictive dermopathy (RD) is a rare and lethal laminopathy caused by mutations in LMNA or ZMPSTE24. This series reports 3 patients with RD and reviews the literature of the 113 previously reported cases, including highlights of the unique constellation of clinical findings in RD, as well as histologic, radiographic, and genetic features. Early recognition of these characteristic features is vital to establish a prompt diagnosis and provide adequate family counseling for this terminal condition.

Novel treatments for pediatric atopic dermatitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe new and emerging therapies for pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD). RECENT FINDINGS: Recent investigations have highlighted the importance of type 2 immunity and interrelationships among the skin immune system, epidermal barrier, and microbiome in the pathogenesis of AD, including in infants and children. These discoveries have translated into more targeted therapy. Crisaborole ointment, a topical phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, and dupilumab, a subcutaneously injected interleukin (IL)-4 receptor inhibitor, are now Food and Drug Administration-approved. Topical agents under investigation for use in the pediatric population include Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, PDE4 inhibitors, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist, an antimicrobial peptide, and commensal skin bacteria. Emerging systemic agents for pediatric AD include biologics targeting IL-13, the IL-31 receptor, and the IL-5 receptor, as well as oral JAK inhibitors. SUMMARY: Increased understanding of AD pathogenesis has resulted in the development of new, more targeted therapies that show promising safety and efficacy results in Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, although long-term safety remains to be evaluated. AD is a heterogeneous disease and having choices of therapies with different mechanisms of action will allow a broader group of children and adolescents with moderate-to-severe disease to achieve disease control.